Galatasaray's Abdülkerim Bardakcı two-match ban upheld on appeal

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Arbitration Board has upheld the two-match suspension handed to Galatasaray defender Abdülkerim Bardakcı. According to the decision published by the TFF on 30 October 2026, the board unanimously rejected Galatasaray's appeal and also turned down the club's request to defer the ban.

The federation's Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) had ruled on 29 October 2026 that Bardakcı be banned for two official matches and fined 67,000 Turkish lira for a "fight" under Article 45/1-a of the Football Disciplinary Instruction. The case stemmed from incidents at the end of the Süper Lig week 9 derby against Fenerbahçe on 26 October 2026, which Galatasaray won 2-1.

What did the Arbitration Board rule?

The Arbitration Board found no error in the disciplinary board's decision regarding the proof of the offence, its legal classification or the length of the sanction. As the highest judicial body within the Turkish federation, its ruling is final within the TFF system.

The same appeal also covered Galatasaray assistant coach Serhat Doğan. The board unanimously upheld his 50,000 lira fine for being in areas he was not accredited for, as well as a 21-day suspension from all football activity for unsporting behaviour towards an opposing player.

How did the case unfold?

1. 26 October 2026 — Galatasaray beat Fenerbahçe 2-1 in Süper Lig week 9; Bardakcı played the full match and incidents followed the final whistle.
2. 29 October 2026 — The PFDK banned Bardakcı for two matches with a 67,000 lira fine, and fined Serhat Doğan 50,000 lira with a 21-day suspension.
3. 30 October 2026 — Galatasaray won 4-0 at Konyaspor in week 10; according to ScoreLab data, Bardakcı did not feature.
4. 30 October 2026 — The TFF Arbitration Board unanimously rejected Galatasaray's appeals and refused the deferral request.

What does Galatasaray lose in defence?

Bardakcı has been a regular at the back for the Turkish champions this season. ScoreLab data shows the 32-year-old centre-back has made 9 Süper Lig appearances in 2026/27, starting 8 of them and playing 701 minutes. Turkish daily Sabah reports he has scored 2 goals in 10 matches across all competitions, including one in the 3-1 home win over Kasımpaşa on 9 October 2026.

Over his career, Bardakcı has played 458 club matches for 8 clubs, scoring 38 goals, and has won 34 caps for Turkey. He has lifted the Süper Lig title 4 times, and ScoreLab data shows his Galatasaray contract runs until 30 June 2027.

What comes next?

Galatasaray's next Süper Lig fixtures are home games against Amed on 7 November 2026 and Samsunspor on 22 November 2026. In between, they host Stuttgart in the Champions League on 3 November 2026. The reports did not specify which matches the ban will apply to, so the coaching staff will need to reshape the defence without Bardakcı.