Center for Combating Disinformation Issues Statement on Saudi Arabia Super Cup
The 2023 Turkish Super Cup match which was to be played in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe has been postponed to a later date. The reason for the postponement was that the clubs decided not to take to the field due to the unavailability of Ataturk t-shirts and banners as per their demands. After a joint statement from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, the match was postponed and thousands of fans flocked to the airport. The Center for Combating Disinformation has since released information regarding the ongoing process and addressed significant misinformation that has arisen from this event.
The Center for Combating Disinformation specified that there has been misinformation and intense information pollution both at home and abroad regarding the match. They mentioned that this is due to disinformation activities that are harming the common values and sensitivities of the nation, and as a result of the misinformation of some segments of the society. Also, TFF and Saudi Arabia officials had initially agreed to the rules and principles to be followed on the field and in the stands of the Super Cup match, along with the decision to apply international football regulatory rules.
Additionally, TFF had prepared a proposal to provide additional income to the clubs from this match and the two club presidents had given TFF the power of attorney for the event. It was agreed that the match would be played in Riyadh with the best bidder for the 2023 Turkcell Super Cup competition. However, disagreements arose over the demands of using Mustafa Kemal Atatürk t-shirts and banners with his words on them. Saudi authorities deemed that these demands could not be added to the existing protocol they had agreed upon with TFF. As a result, the match was postponed after a joint statement from the clubs and TFF.
The hope is that all fans, media, and the public pay attention to genuine information and not fall for any further campaigns of disinformation.
