In Turkey, soccer transcends mere sport, becoming a phenomenon deeply entwined with political dynamics and mirroring existing power structures. Recent debates surrounding the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have highlighted this complex relationship. In this bulletin, we will explore critical issues ranging from referee decisions and attacks on referees to controversial rulings by the TFF and the government's politicization of football.First, addressing the refereeing decisions that have become a weekly talking point is essential. Particularly in crucial matches, erroneous decisions have sparked significant dissatisfaction among fans and teams, raising public concerns about the impartiality of referees. Despite the introduction of the VAR system a few years ago to mitigate these controversies, it appears that VAR has, paradoxically, intensified debates over refereeing decisions. While VAR undoubtedly ensures fair judgment in many match situations, even with VAR reviews, incorrect decisions by referees now provoke stronger reactions than ever before. This discontent stems from club management and fans perceiving certain egregious decisions as deliberate bias against their teams, eroding trust in the justice of the game. Consequently, fans from nearly every team believe that football in Turkey is not played on an even field.Referees face criticism not only for their positioning during matches but also for their decisions—or lack thereof—in situations that compromise player safety. A notable instance occurred during Fenerbahçe's 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor when the referee chose not to halt the game despite the crowd throwing foreign objects onto the field. This decision set off a series of events that ultimately led to a post-match brawl involving Fenerbahçe players and Trabzonspor fans. It is essential to acknowledge that both the referee's passivity and the inadequate response from security forces contributed to the escalation of the incident.Furthermore, it is crucial to highlight the significant responsibility of the officials, particularly the Governor, for failing to implement adequate security measures at this historically contentious match, which has often been marred by unsportsmanlike behavior and the potential for violence. The shortsighted approach of the referee and security forces drew the ire of Fenerbahçe management and supporters on the grounds that the TFF had violated the conditions of fair competition, and an extraordinary general assembly was called. On April 2, an extraordinary general assembly was held, and Fenerbahçe's management was authorized to address critical issues, including withdrawal from the league.The situation that brought one of Turkey's premier clubs to contemplate withdrawing from the league did not stem from a single incident. Particularly with Fenerbahçe, a series of events—most notably the match-fixing scandal—has led the club's management and supporters to perceive that the AKP government and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have subjected the club to unfair treatment due to its 'republican' identity. However, there are numerous indications that the government favors Trabzonspor and that the Trabzonspor administration receives preferential treatment from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). For instance, in a 2016 speech, Berat Albayrak noted, 'We have five ministers from Trabzonspor... Those who know us understand how intensely we work behind the scenes for Trabzon and Trabzonspor.' Additionally, various ministers, MPs, and mayors have publicly expressed their support for Trabzonspor.2The government's favoritism towards certain football clubs extends beyond mere verbal endorsements and includes financial entanglements. A complex and often opaque network of economic relationships between state institutions and football clubs—encompassing everything from stadium construction to debt deferral and municipal funding—positions some clubs more favorably than others. This intertwining of the commercial aspects of football with political interests transforms the sport into a multifaceted tool used for economic and political purposes. Consequently, the resulting mistrust in state institutions and the politicization of the sport are palpable on the football fields, transforming what should be apolitical competitions into arenas where politics are waged by other means.

The Freedom Observer

Consequently, the resulting mistrust in state institutions and the politicization of the sport are palpable on the football fields, transforming what should be apolitical competitions into arenas where politics are waged by other means.

Turkish Football Federation ile ilgili hikayeler