ISTANBUL — Tensions are rising ahead of the highly anticipated Intercontinental Derby as Fenerbahce prepare to file an official complaint over Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and the protective equipment he has been using since returning from injury.
The dispute comes at a critical stage of the Turkish Super Lig title race, where both clubs remain locked in a tight battle with only a few matches left in the season.
Osimhen recently returned to action for Galatasaray after undergoing surgery, having missed several key fixtures during his recovery period. He made his comeback appearance during a 2–0 defeat to Gençlerbirliği, where he featured as a second-half substitute.
The controversy centres on a custom-made protective bandage worn on his right forearm. The equipment was introduced following a fracture sustained during a UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool on March 18, which required medical intervention and rehabilitation.
The bandage is designed to stabilise the wrist, reduce pain, and prevent further injury during competitive play. Osimhen has continued to use it since returning to action, including in midweek domestic fixtures.
However, Fenerbahce have raised concerns about the nature of the protective gear, arguing that it may be too rigid and could present a safety risk to opposing players during physical challenges. The club is expected to formally submit its complaint to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) ahead of Sunday’s derby.
According to reports, Fenerbahce’s medical department has compiled a technical dossier examining International Football Association Board (IFAB) regulations on permissible protective equipment. The document is expected to support their case that the bandage may not comply with safety standards.
The upcoming derby carries major implications for the Turkish Super Lig title race. Galatasaray currently sit at the top of the table with a four-point advantage over Fenerbahce, while Trabzonspor remain further behind in third place.
With only four matches remaining in the 2025–2026 season, the fixture is widely viewed as a potential title-deciding encounter. Both clubs are expected to approach the match under intense pressure, with rivalry tensions already escalating off the pitch.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, have endured a mixed run of form, including their recent cup elimination and league defeat, leaving them focused solely on securing the domestic league title.
As the derby approaches, attention is expected to remain on both the sporting stakes and the growing off-field dispute surrounding Osimhen’s protective equipment, adding another layer of intensity to one of football’s most heated rivalries.
