20.06.2025 14:21
In the U21 European Championship Qualifiers match between the Faroe Islands and Estonia, Turkish referee Mehmet Türkmen faced criticism. In the 90+3rd minute of the match, he made an incorrect decision regarding a penalty situation and issued a VAR decision in a match that did not have VAR.
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FIFA-licensed Turkish referee Mehmet Türkmen officiated the U21 match between the Faroe Islands and Estonia. The decisions and the way Türkmen handled the match were widely discussed.
Ömer Faruk Ünal, a writer for Türkiye Gazetesi, criticized Turkish referee Mehmet Türkmen, who officiated the match between the Faroe Islands and Estonia as part of the U21 European Championship Qualifiers.
Ünal stated, "The referee does not know how to position himself or observe from the right angle. He does not understand what natural contact is in football, nor what a foul is. He only starts moving after the ball is kicked, gets left behind, obscures his own view, and cannot resolve the situation. He runs and runs, as if he is Usain Bolt! However, he couldn't even run in UEFA's first athletic test."
"VAR SHOWED BUT THERE IS NO VAR"
Ünal also addressed the penalty incident that occurred in the 90+3rd minute, which affected the outcome of the match, saying, "The score is 1-1. There is a very simple, clear, and obvious penalty in favor of the Faroe Islands. Mehmet Türkmen initially signals a goal kick with his right arm. The assistant referee, however, signals for a corner for the same incident. Following this, 4-5 players from the Faroe Islands run towards the referee. Mehmet Türkmen then raises his left arm to indicate the penalty spot. He immediately brings his hand to his earpiece, as if to say 'a decision came from VAR.' However, there was no VAR system in the match."
Ünal concluded his article by addressing the TFF and the Central Referee Board (MHK): "Do you have the right to disgrace this country and this child, oh MHK, TFF, and decision-makers!"
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