Galatasaray crowned Turkey's champion and made their Turkish 20th tally

Haba four Fenerbahçe players were sent off in their league game today at Başakşehir, but they drew the match 2-2 which gave Galatasaray the edge to be crowned champions of Turkey’s top flight for a record 20th time on May 25.


With one round of games remaining, Fenerbahçe needed nothing less than a win against Başakşehir, a fast-growing Istanbul side, to keep any title hopes alive.

But two goals from Mehmet Batdal within ten minutes in the second half were hammer blows to Fenerbahçe’s lingering hopes.

Diego of Brazil struck back for Fenerbahçe after 80 minutes and Pierre Webo of Cameroon added another on 88 minutes, leading to frantic closing minutes as Fenerbahçe looked for a winner.

With tempers fraying, four Fenerbahçe players were sent off in the last 10 minutes -- Mehmet Topuz, Bruno Alves of Portugal, Caner Erkin and Webo -- leaving the visitors with just seven players on the field.

The result leaves Galatasaray with an unassailable five-point lead at the top of the table and also earning Turkey’s automatic Champions League spot for next season.

Fenerbahçe will finish second and the third great team of Istanbul, Besiktas, in third place irrespective of the results in next Sunday’s matches.

Galatasaray’s victory means the team has now won a record 20 titles, one more than Fenerbahçe on 19.

Under Turkish tradition, Galatasaray will now be the first in Turkish football history to wear four stars on their shirts. A Turkish team is awarded a star for every five championship victories.