Tensions are rising ahead of Sunday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the latter preparing to submit a formal complaint to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) regarding the protective equipment currently worn by Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
According to reports from Fanatik journalist Samet Çayır, Fenerbahce’s concern centres on a custom-designed bandage Osimhen has been using to protect his right forearm. The striker sustained a fracture during a UEFA Champions League match against Liverpool on 18 March and has been wearing the device since returning from surgery.
Osimhen made his comeback on Wednesday, featuring as a substitute in Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup fixture against Gençlerbirliği — a match in which the club suffered a 2-0 home defeat. The result confirmed Galatasaray’s elimination from the Turkish Cup at the quarter-final stage, leaving the Super Lig title as the only remaining trophy to compete for this season.
The medical bandage in question is designed to immobilise Osimhen’s wrist, manage pain, and prevent further damage to the injured forearm. However, Fenerbahce’s medical staff argue the device is excessively rigid and could present a safety risk to opposition players during physical challenges.
To strengthen their case ahead of the TFF submission, Fenerbahce’s medical team has compiled a detailed report examining which protective materials are permissible under International Football Association Board (IFAB) regulations. That report is set to accompany the formal complaint.
Whether the TFF will rule the equipment illegal — or require modifications before Sunday’s fixture — remains to be seen. IFAB guidelines permit players to wear protective equipment provided it does not pose a danger to other participants, a standard that leaves room for interpretation and official review.
The timing of the complaint adds an additional layer of intensity to a fixture that already carries enormous weight in the Super Lig title race. With only four matches remaining in the 2025–26 season, Galatasaray currently lead the standings with a four-point advantage over second-placed Fenerbahce and a seven-point cushion over third-placed Trabzonspor. A Fenerbahce victory on Sunday would significantly tighten the race, while a Galatasaray win could all but seal a consecutive league title for the reigning champions.
Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, has been a central figure in Galatasaray’s campaign this season, and his fitness — as well as his eligibility to wear the protective bandage — will be closely monitored by both clubs and Turkish football officials in the days leading up to the derby.
