Adana Demirspor’s club chief resigns after team abandon match vs Galatasaray

Turkish Super League Adana Demirspor president Bedirhan Burak resigned on Monday, a day after his team walked off the pitch in the 34th minute of the match against Galatasaray in protest at a penalty awarded against them.

Adana Demirspor, bottom of the table with five points, were facing championship leaders Galatasaray, who have 57 points. In the 12th minute, the referee awarded a penalty to the Istanbul side, which was converted by their recent signing, Spain international Alvaro Morata.

Morata's first goal in the Turkish championship came after a penalty was awarded to Belgian Dries Mertens, who apparently faked a trip by defender Semih Guler.

After numerous protests that the penalty shouldn't have been awarded, the Adana Demirspor players decided to abandon the game in the 34th minute.

‘I am sorry to see that we have reached a dead end. For the sake of my club, my family, my loved ones and my health, I am informing all our supporters that I am stepping down as president,’ he said.

The episode comes against a backdrop of heightened tension in Turkish football, with Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho openly criticising referees and the country's biggest clubs accusing each other of irregularities.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is expected to make an official decision on the walkout in the coming days, with the possibility of forfeiting the match to Adana Demirspor 3-0 and sanctioning the team with the loss of three points.