The derby between the Istanbul-based football clubs of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, which was scheduled to take place on Sunday evening, has been postponed due to security concerns.

The postponement of the match comes a day after a suicide attack in Istanbul claimed the lives of five people, including the perpetrator and left 36 other injured.

The suicide bomber, who blew himself up on the busy Istiklal avenue on Saturday, has been identified as a suspected member of Islamic State (IS).

The decision to postpone the match, which was scheduled to start at 20 o’clock (EET), was taken after consulting both teams.

Initially, Galatasaray’s home ground, Turk Telekom Arena, was evacuated to allow for the match to proceed without the presence of spectators.

However later authorities decided to postpone the match to another date due to “serious intelligence” about security concerns.

A new date is expected to be announced in the following days, Turkish media inform.

Heightened security measures have been taken in the area of the stadium where a police helicopter could be seen hovering around it.

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