05.06.2026 13:01
Former referee and commentator Erman Toroğlu was acquitted in a case where he faced up to 3 years in prison for the charge of "publicly disseminating misleading information" due to his remarks about Galatasaray on a television program.
Sports commentator Erman Toroğlu appeared before a judge on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" facing up to 3 years in prison for his statements about Galatasaray Club on a television program. The court ruled for Toroğlu's acquittal.
Former referee and sports commentator Erman Toroğlu appeared before a judge for the first time today at the Istanbul 58th Criminal Court of First Instance on charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information," facing 1 to 3 years in prison for his statements about Galatasaray Club on a television program. Toroğlu and his lawyers attended the hearing.
"I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I'M HERE"
In his defense before the court, Toroğlu stated that his monthly income is 600-700 thousand lira and said, "I couldn't understand why I'm here. I was hosting a program at 10:30 PM. The Galatasaray President gestured to the federation president with his hand saying 'Absolutely not.' I said, 'Let's find out about this.' The next day, they called me from the courthouse. First I was a witness, then I became a suspect. I don't know either; everyone is curious about what that 'Absolutely not' means. My statement to the prosecutor is correct. The TFF President has not made any denial or complaint. The Football Federation President sent me a message. He said, 'Erman Hocam, I love you. I don't want you to be wronged. I will explain this when necessary.' I am revealing this for the first time here." Toroğlu's lawyer requested his acquittal.
"I WONDER"
In the prosecutor's opinion, it was requested that the defendant be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison for the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information." In response to the opinion, Toroğlu said, "That's all I have to say. I ask, but I can't get an answer. I wonder, everyone wonders. God knows, I hope someone will answer one day." The court ruled for Erman Toroğlu's acquittal.
FROM THE INDICTMENT
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that through his posts, Toroğlu acted with the motive of creating anxiety, fear, or panic among the public by misleading the public with false information about public order, beyond the statements made by state institutions and organizations regarding football, aiming to create a perception and negatively affect trust in state institutions and organizations. The indictment sought Erman Toroğlu to be punished with 1 to 3 years in prison for the crime of "publicly disseminating misleading information."
"A STRANGE THING"
Commenting on the issue, Toroğlu said, "It's a strange thing; something I don't even know about. An incident I asked about on TV. First, they made me a witness, then I became a suspect, and things came to this point. What I asked was: The Galatasaray President gestures to the Football Federation President with his hand saying 'Absolutely not.' I said, what is this 'Absolutely not.' This is a different matter. No response came from either side. They twisted the words 'Absolutely not' in a thousand ways. Here, the Galatasaray President took me to court. Since there was no response from the Football Federation President, why did the Galatasaray President take me to court? It's not a holiday, it's not a festival."