25.10.2025 14:31
After the on-field tension during the Fenerbahçe-Stuttgart match, former national football player Serkan Balcı, who drew criticism for his harsh remarks towards player Deniz Undav, made a new statement following the Hakkari Bar Association's decision to file a criminal complaint. Balcı argued that his words were misunderstood, stating, "The mother of my children is Kurdish, I love Kurds very much. I am more Kurdish than you."
Former national football player Serkan Balcı had made harsh statements about Deniz Undav, who had a dispute with Fenerbahçe's İsmail Yüksek during the match against Stuttgart, which Fenerbahçe won 1-0. Balcı's statements had drawn significant backlash.
The Hakkari Bar Association announced that it would file a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office regarding Serkan Balcı's statements for "inciting hatred and hostility" and "hate and discrimination" crimes.
In the statement made by the Bar Association, it was stated, "As the Hakkari Bar Association, we respectfully inform the public that we will file a criminal complaint against football commentator Serkan Balcı, who made insulting statements towards Kurdish football player Deniz Undav, as well as other commentators and social media users who used hate speech, for 'inciting hatred and hostility' and 'hate and discrimination' crimes."
BACKGROUND OF THE INCIDENT
The tension was ignited during the UEFA Europa League match where Fenerbahçe defeated Stuttgart 1-0. Deniz Undav, who had a dispute with Fenerbahçe's İsmail Yüksek during the match, later became a target on social media. Serkan Balcı's use of insulting language towards Deniz Undav during a live broadcast led to an increase in reactions.
Balcı had stated in his remarks, "You are a football player, Deniz. Get yourself together, you bastard. You are a bastard, if you have any honor, you shouldn't have come here. Thank your lucky stars that we didn't break your mouth and nose. Bastard son of a bastard..."
NEW STATEMENT FROM BALCI: I WAS MISREPRESENTED
After the backlash, Serkan Balcı made a new statement claiming that his words were distorted. Balcı said, "My children's mother is Kurdish, I love Kurds very much. I don't even have a political opinion. I am more Kurdish than you. Don't twist the incident in different directions."