Istanbul football derby cancelled following Turkish intelligence warning

Turkey's biggest football derby - Fenerbahce v Galatasaray - has been called off with authorities citing 'security concerns' one day after a bombing in Istanbul.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

20 March, 2016

The game at the Turk Telekom Arena was cancelled due to security concerns [Anadolu]

A football match between two of Turkey's most popular football teams has been cancelled following an unspecified threat.

The Istanbul governor's office said Sunday's Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby was canceled following "the assessment of serious intelligence".

It comes the day after a deadly suicide attack in a busy part of Istanbul left five people dead, including the bomber.

Turkish authorities believe a Turkish Islamic State group militant carried out the bombing.

The Istanbul Derby is one of the most highly anticipated football clashes in Turkish football and sees Galatasaray - on the European side of the city - face bitter rivals Fenerbahce - from the Asian side of the Bosphorus.

The match was due to take place at 8pm at the Turk Telekom Arena but will be replayed at a later date.

"Due to security concerns based on information provided by the TFF, İstanbul council and police force, tonight's match has been postponed," Galatasaray football club said on their Twitter page.

They shared a photo showing a banner at the stadium saying "Your humanity is more worthless than the money you threw [sic]".

Unconfirmed media reports said a bomb threat was to blame for the cancellation.

Agencies contributed to this story.