Istanbul derby is suspended after Fenerbahce fans ‘threw FLARES towards Galatasaray supporters’ – with 30,000 police officers ‘on duty’ during fierce clash

Monday’s heated derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in the Turkish top flight was temporarily suspended by the referee after a group if fans threw flares at rival supporters.

Tensions were already at boiling point ahead of the historic derby, with both sets of players refusing to shake hands on the pitch at Rams Park, Galatasaray’s home stadium, in Istanbul. 

Referee Slavko Vincic was forced to stop the fiercely-contested clash in the 52nd minute after a group of Fenerbahce fans reportedly began launching missiles towards Galatasaray supporters.

A total of 30,000 police officers were reportedly on duty at the stadium and managed to regain control of the crowd quickly enough for the match to continue, according to Turkish outlet Hurriyet.

The concerning scenes in the stands overshadowed the action on the pitch, as Galatasaray and Fenerbahce were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw, with Jose Mourinho‘s side unable to claw back ground in the Super Lig title race.

The Turkish Football Federation’s decision to appoint Vincic, a foreign referee, for the derby was supported by Mourinho, who praised the Slovenian as a ‘top-level’ official.

Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic was forced to stop Fenerbahce’s fierce clash with Galatasaray

Jose Mourinho was forced to settle for a 0-0 draw, failing to claw back ground on Galatasaray

Fenerbahce remain six points behind their bitter rivals, who are chasing a third successive title

Galatasaray reportedly attempted to block Vincic’s appointment, despite him refereeing the Champions League final last year.

Ahead of the derby, the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager said: ‘The decision has been made and he is a top-level referee, I think it is important for credibility.

‘I am happy with this decision. Although it may not seem like it sometimes, I am a person who wants fair play. We want to win, they want to win. I hope it will be a big match.’

The visitors, who remain six points behind the league leaders in second, had the best chance of the match in the 67th minute when Filip Kostic’s corner was met by the head of Alexander Dijku.

To the frustration of Mourinho and his players, Galatasaray’s veteran goalkeeper Fernando Muslera pulled off a superb double save, first parrying Dijku’s header before denying Edin Dzeko’s effort on the rebound.

Muslera’s instincts helped keep Galatasaray unbeaten so far in the Super Lig, with 20 wins and four draws from 24 matches so far. 

The stalemate puts Okan Buruk’s in full control in the title race as Galatasaray chase down a third successive championship this campaign.

Mourinho’s Fenerbahce host Rangers in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on March 6 before heading to the Ibrox seven days later.