13.05.2025 16:10
The appointment of referee Cihan Aydın for the match between Galatasaray and Trabzonspor before the Turkey Cup final has sparked controversy. Galatasaray's Vice President Metin Öztürk reacted to the referee assignments, stating that this situation is causing conflict between the teams. He said, "I can't say that the TFF wants to pit the two teams against each other, but the referee assignments are evident. We just want this young brother of ours to call what he sees."
Before the Turkish Cup final to be played between Galatasaray and Trabzonspor on Wednesday evening, the referee tension is escalating. Following the Trabzonspor management, reactions have also come from the Galatasaray side regarding referee Cihan Aydın. Galatasaray's Vice President Metin Öztürk also made evaluations on the matter.
''THEY WANT TO TURN THE TWO TEAMS AGAINST EACH OTHER''
Expressing that both teams are not satisfied with the referee assignment, Metin Öztürk stated, "I can't say that the TFF wants to turn the two teams against each other, but the referee assignments are evident. The MHK assigns the referee without consulting the clubs. If we identify the referees, we won't be able to get out of this situation. We don't know what is on anyone's mind or what tricks are being played. We just want this young brother of ours to whistle what he sees. We expect VAR to finish this job safely without depriving anyone of their rights," he said.
"WE LOST 4 POINTS DUE TO REFEREE ERRORS"
Öztürk mentioned that they lost 4 points due to mistakes made in previous Galatasaray matches officiated by Cihan Aydın, saying, "Trabzonspor has its own perspective, but this referee has officiated 3 of our matches. In 2 of those 3 matches, we lost 4 points due to referee errors. The referee did not see the handball of the Hatayspor player, and VAR did not warn either. Again, in the same match, we don't know if a different rule was applied to the goal scored by Hatayspor. Because the following week, we scored a goal in a similar position, and it was called offside. If that goal was offside, how was Hatayspor's goal valid? Rules do not change in two weeks," he stated.
Öztürk also addressed the incidents in the 3-3 draw against Kasımpaşa, saying, "The red card that was ignored for the young Kasımpaşa player changed the course of the game. Burak Yılmaz is a smart coach; he immediately took his player out of the game. Because he would have made another move 5 minutes later," he remarked.
"WE DO NOT FORGIVE VAR ERRORS"
Continuing his speech, Metin Öztürk said, "4 points that could affect the championship have been lost, but we are Galatasaray; we are going forward by defeating everyone. I hope this referee does not repeat these mistakes; we attribute it to his youth. However, we do not forgive VAR's mistakes; that is a completely different issue," he stated.
TRABZONSPOR HAD ALSO REACTED
Trabzonspor, which will face Galatasaray in the final, had reacted after referee Cihan Aydın was assigned to the final match. In a post on their social media account, the Bordo-mavililer stated the following;
"Once again, we declare loudly with the words of our former President Mr. Özkan Sümer: Football is not played on the field in this country. What has been done to our team since the beginning of the season cannot be evaluated as individual mistakes and human weaknesses. There is a planned and continuous asymmetric intervention system against us. Just two weeks ago, the 'VAR theater' was staged against Kasımpaşa and then Galatasaray, and our points were seized with offside setups that have no precedent in Turkish football history. As if the Super League was not enough, a name has been brought before us in the Turkish Cup final: Cihan Aydın. So who is this extra?
The one who participated in the MHK's VAR meeting with the username 'The biggest Galatasaray', who boasts of his identity as a fan, and does not even feel the need to hide his affiliation is supposedly a 'referee!' It seems that the TFF is taking on every color, but turning its back on the color of justice. Unfortunately, the institution of justice at the TFF has now decayed, the institution has lost its neutrality, and the moral ground has been abandoned. The purpose of this appointment is nothing but to bring the two biggest clubs in Turkey face to face on the field, in the stands, and in the streets! We want this to be understood very well! In the Turkish Cup final, which has no chance of compensation, whoever eats our club's rights will ruin their own future and drown in the anger of our community. Because it is not those who commit historical oppression, but those who resist oppression that shape history. And let it be known that 'the end of those who thrive on oppression will be disastrous.' With our respects…”