French Officials Confirm Galatasaray Match Will Proceed as Scheduled

Galatasaray travels to face Lille in the UEFA Champions League 3. haftasında on Wednesday amid heightened security measures in France, though French officials confirmed the match will proceed as scheduled despite a local curfew. The fixture kicks off at 19.45 Turkish time on October 21, 2026, with Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic officiating the encounter.

Curfew in Lille Raises Security Questions for Champions League Fixture

Local authorities in Lille implemented a curfew from 21.00 Türkiye time until 07.00 the following morning following a wave of unrest across France. The restriction, covering the night before the matchday, prompted immediate inquiries from Galatasaray supporters regarding the status of the fixture. While security concerns also placed Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Barcelona under scrutiny, Laurent Nunez addressed the speculation directly. Nunez stated that the matches will continue as planned, emphasizing that cancellation is not under consideration.

Galatasaray Requests UEFA and Diplomatic Security Enhancements

Galatasaray management monitored the French developments closely, making the safety of the player delegation and traveling fans its primary priority. The club initiated contacts with UEFA, the French Embassy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Rather than seeking a venue relocation, Galatasaray requested reinforced security measures surrounding the squad’s arrival, match duration, and departure. UEFA has not issued any decision altering the venue or schedule of the fixture.

Slovenian Referee Appointed for Clash

UEFA assigned Rade Obrenovic of the Slovenian Football Federation to referee the match. Obrenovic will be assisted by Jure Praprotnik and Matej Zunic, with Martin Matosa serving as the fourth official. The Video Assistant Referee room features Matej Jug, supported by Assistant VAR Dennis Higler of the Netherlands.

French Officials Confirm Galatasaray Match Will Proceed as Scheduled — Photo: Hürriyet

Match Details and Competition Context

Galatasaray enters the away fixture aiming for a positive result from France while operating under the strict security protocols enacted by host authorities. Kickoff is set for 19.45 Turkish time.