Liverpool icon Graeme Souness has found himself at the centre of a major football storm after a controversial pitch-side stunt during Galatasaray's Super Cup victory celebration.
The former Reds captain, working as a pundit for Turkish broadcaster beIN Sports, sparked outrage by planting a Galatasaray flag in the centre circle of Fenerbahçe's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium following their rivals' dramatic win.
The Incident That Shook Turkish Football
As Galatasaray players celebrated their 2-0 victory over Fenerbahçe in the Turkish Super Cup, Souness joined the festivities in a move that has divided football opinion. The 70-year-old Scot, who managed Galatasaray between 1995 and 1996, was captured on camera thrusting the club's flag into the turf of their bitter rivals' home ground.
The gesture immediately triggered fury among Fenerbahçe supporters, with many labelling it disrespectful and provocative. Social media platforms exploded with reactions from furious fans, while Turkish sports channels have dedicated significant airtime to analysing the incident.
Souness's Historic Connection to Galatasaray
During his tenure as Galatasaray manager, Souness famously led the team to a Turkish Cup victory in 1996. His time in Istanbul remains memorable for another flag-planting incident, when he placed a giant Galatasaray flag in the centre of Fenerbahçe's pitch after winning the cup final.
"This appears to be a deliberate callback to that moment," noted one Turkish football analyst. "While Galatasaray fans see it as legendary behaviour, Fenerbahçe supporters view it as the ultimate disrespect."
Mixed Reactions From Football Community
The football world remains divided on Souness's actions:
- Galatasaray loyalists have celebrated the gesture as iconic and passionate
- Fenerbahçe supporters have condemned it as unsportsmanlike behaviour
- Neutral observers question the appropriateness of a pundit participating in such acts
Former players and pundits have weighed in on the controversy, with some defending Souness's passion for his former club, while others suggest it crosses professional boundaries for a broadcasting figure.
What Happens Next?
The incident raises questions about the role of pundits in modern football coverage and whether such partisan actions are appropriate for those in broadcasting positions. With Turkish football's intense rivalries known for their passion, this incident is likely to fuel the fire between two of the country's biggest clubs for weeks to come.
As the debate continues to rage across social media and sports networks, one thing is certain: Graeme Souness has once again demonstrated his ability to make headlines, decades after his playing career ended.
