Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has launched a dual-pronged critique against UEFA on the eve of his side’s Champions League Round of 16 clash with Liverpool, labeling the governing body’s disciplinary system and fan sanctions as “unfair.”
The Turkish champions host the Reds at RAMS Park on Tuesday night knowing they will likely face the return leg at Anfield alone. UEFA has prohibited Galatasaray from selling tickets to their supporters for the trip to Merseyside following violent scenes during their playoff second leg against Juventus in Turin last month.
The Battle for Anfield: CAS Rejects Appeal
The ban stems from a series of incidents in Italy, where around 400 Galatasaray “ultras” reportedly clashed with local police and damaged shuttles. Most significantly, a firework launched from the away end injured a father and daughter in the home section.
While Galatasaray management appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for a stay of execution, the request was rejected on Monday. Buruk, however, remains vocal in his defense of the club’s following.
“I don’t find this decision fair. It’s not right to judge it solely from the fans’ perspective; how the police behaved in Turin is also a critical factor,” Buruk argued in his pre-match press conference. “Taking away our fans’ right to be at Anfield for such a massive decider is a heavy punishment.”
The Suspension Crisis: Seven Stars on a Tightrope
Beyond the empty away end, Buruk is grappling with a looming selection crisis. Seven of his most vital players are one yellow card away from a mandatory one-match suspension, which would rule them out of the trip to England:
Goalkeeper: Uğurcan Çakır
Full Defensive Unit: Ismail Jakobs, Davinson Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, and Sacha Boey
Attacking Threats: Victor Osimhen and Noa Lang
With the Champions League calendar expanding this season, Buruk urged UEFA to modernize the “three-card rule,” which currently carries cautions from the league phase all the way through to the semi-finals.
“UEFA absolutely needs to revise this as the number of matches increases. Seven of our players are on the verge,” Buruk said. “The most difficult part is that it targets our entire defensive line and our most consistent starters. We will try our best to avoid ‘unnecessary’ cards, but in a game of this intensity, that is a huge burden to carry.”