Alanyaspor’s Response to Fenerbahce and Galatasaray: Don’t Be Afraid

Süper Lig team Alanyaspor criticized the refereeing in their matches against Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. The club released a statement regarding the refereeing decisions in these games.

In Alanyaspor’s statement, it was noted: “Just as we need a climate of respect, love, and unity in football, we need JUSTICE even more than that. Unfortunately, in the match between Fenerbahçe and Corendon Alanyaspor five weeks ago, referee Mehmet Turkmen failed to send off Jayden Oosterwolde and did not award a clear penalty in the final moments. In the match against Galatasaray, he also failed to show a clear red card to an opposing player in the first minute. The VAR referee, who should have seen that position more clearly, unfortunately, stood by this injustice. The assistant referee also ignored the situation in front of him.”

“THERE IS NO TURNING BACK FROM THIS WRONG PATH”

The statement continued: “How is it understandable that referees from Istanbul are appointed to matches of Istanbul teams as if there are no referees in Turkey? However, the main issue, and the picture that needs to be seen, is how football and referees have continuously been brought to this point. We need to analyze why these referees lack the courage to show these red cards. MHKs (Referee Committees) and TFF (Turkish Football Federation) administrations are constantly changing. Instead of permanent solutions, solutions that will appease especially the big teams are being produced, and only time is being bought. It is obvious that decisions taken regarding referees every day, suspending referees, and swapping FIFA badges among them will not solve these issues, yet we still do not turn back from this wrong path.”

“APPLICATIONS THAT WILL PROVIDE TRUST SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED”

The Mediterranean team emphasized that TFF and MHK should support the referees: “Referees go out to the matches of the four big clubs thinking, ‘If I award a penalty against them or show a red card, will something happen to me?’ Because federations and MHK unfortunately apply disproportionate pressure on referees who make mistakes. They impose excessive penalties and can even end their refereeing careers. In such an environment, it becomes difficult for referees to manage matches fairly, especially in the matches of big teams. If federations and MHK want referees to improve, they must first stand behind them, avoid constantly changing their classifications, and instead impose proportional penalties and sanctions. They should increase their training, make them qualified, and implement applications that will instill trust, not fear.”

“MAKE MISTAKES, BUT PLEASE DON’T BE WRONG”

Alanyaspor concluded their statement with the following advice to referees: “We advise referees to not be afraid, regardless of everything, to stick to justice, and to manage matches boldly in every stadium without making distinctions between big and small teams. Apply the truth, and let only the fear of Allah be in your hearts and minds. You will make mistakes. Just as there is no human without error, there are no referees without mistakes. But please, just make mistakes—don’t make wrong decisions.”