Galatasaray posts about 'evil inside' refereeing during key title race win over Fenerbahce

ISTANBUL (AP) — Turkish league leader Galatasaray posted on social media about referees and “the evil inside” at halftime of a win against fierce rival Fenerbahce that all-but sealed another title.

“Despite these referees, we’re still leading 1-0,” Galatasaray posted in Turkish on its official X account during what would be a 3-0 win in the Istanbul derby Sunday.

“We see what you’re doing, your plans, the evil inside you,” the club wrote, adding on its English language account: “Don’t let the score distract you from the fact that TWO clear penalties for Galatasaray have been ignored by the referee and the VAR room in the first half.”

The in-game criticism came days after Galatasaray said it was suspending relations with the Turkish Football Federation in a dispute about picking referees for games.

The Gala-Fener rivalry is one of the most intense in world soccer though it has been one-sided on the field in recent years.

Sunday's victory left Galatasaray seven points clear with three rounds left as it seeks a fourth straight league title. Fenerbahce has not been champion since 2014.

Galatasaray took the lead on Nigeria striker Victor Osimen’s goal in the 40th minute — after Fenerbahce missed a penalty — and then got its own spot kick in the second half. Barış Alper Yılmaz scored that in the 67th and Lucas Torreira added a third in the 83rd.

Fenerbache goalkeeper Ederson was sent off when the score was 1-0.

Complaints about referees and their integrity are common in the Turkish Super League.

Jose Mourinho, as Fenerbahce coach last season, was banned for four games by the federation for criticizing match officials.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Galatasaray's Lucas Torreira celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Galatasaray's Baris Yilmaz, left, celebrates with teammate Victor Osimhen after scoring their side's second goal during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Fenerbahce's supporters light flares during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Galatasaray's head coach Okan Buruk gives instructions during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

Galatasaray's Baris Yilmaz celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

The long wait to stage the British Open again will soon be over for Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

It goes on and on for President Donald Trump's Turnberry course.

The R&A announced its host for the 2028 edition of golf's oldest major on Monday, with Royal Lytham given the honor for the 12th time — and first since 2012.

That year, Ernie Els lifted the claret jug after a shocking collapse by Adam Scott, who made bogey on his last four holes to finish one shot behind.

For Royal Lytham, it will be the second-longest gap between hosting Opens. Some 26 years elapsed between its first — won by the great Bobby Jones in 1926 — and second.

“This is one of golf’s most cherished and historic venues,” R&A chief executive Mark Darbon said, “and the Open’s return to these famous links will spark huge interest among fans to be part of one of the world’s great sporting events and celebrate the rich traditions of golf’s original championship.”

Turnberry hasn't experienced that since 2009, when Tom Watson — at age 59 — lost excruciatingly in a playoff to Stewart Cink. Five years later, Trump bought the resort set along the Ayrshire coast in Scotland across from the Ailsa Craig and the R&A has opted not to go back there, with its former CEO, Martin Slumbers, saying it wouldn't until it was comfortable the topic would be about golf and not the owner.

Last year, Darbon met with Eric Trump and other leaders of Trump Golf and held what the R&A chief described as constructive talks, but said transportation and other issues like infrastructure had to be addressed.

Also shunned for 2028 was Muirfield, among the most historic of the links on the rotation and most recently the British Open host in 2013 when Phil Mickelson won.

Size clearly matters for the R&A, which has preferred larger Open venues in recent years like the Old Course at St. Andrews — the most regular stop on the rotation — and Royal Portrush, which hosted in 2019 and again in 2025 when nearly 280,000 spectators came to the course on the tip of the island of Ireland to watch.

The Open will be played at Royal Birkdale this year and is back in 2027 at St. Andrews, which holds the record weekly attendance of 290,000 in 2022.

The 2028 edition at Royal Lytham will be held later than usual in the year — Aug. 3-6 — so it doesn’t clash with the Olympic tournament at Los Angeles Games that summer.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

FILE - Ernie Els of South Africa reacts after putting on the 18th green with his caddie Ricky Roberts at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club during the final round of the British Open Golf Championship, Lytham St Annes, England Sunday, July 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson, file)

FILE - Ernie Els of South Africa holds the Claret Jug trophy after winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club, Lytham St Annes, England Sunday, July 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Jon Super, file)