14.07.2025 18:11
Players who had to leave their teams due to the rule change in the TFF 3rd League held a press conference in front of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) limited the number of players born in 2000 and earlier to 5 for the rosters of 3rd League clubs for the 2025-2026 season in May. After the decision, the players who were released from their teams gathered in front of the Ministry of Youth and Sports (GSB) to hold a press conference.
MOST PLAYERS ARE LEFT UNEMPLOYED
The Turkish Football Federation imposed a condition in May that professional 3rd League clubs can only license a maximum of 5 players born on or before December 31, 2000, starting from the 2025-2026 season. With this regulation, most players over the age of 25 in the 3rd League were left unemployed. The unemployed players conveyed their request for the decision to be revoked to the TFF, but received no response.
'WE CANNOT ACCEPT THIS DECISION'
About 100 players held a press conference in front of the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the decision made by the TFF. Speaking on behalf of the players, Yasin Palaz stated that he has been a professional football player for 20 years, saying, "I am here representing my friends from the youngest to the oldest. I am someone who tries to guide and lead them correctly. A limitation of 5 players born in 2000 and earlier, over the age of 25, was imposed without any consultation with any professional player, any coach, or similar associations. This is a rule that does not exist in any country in the world, previously applied in our country in 2012, which received no response and was completely abolished. For some reason, after years, such a rule is being attempted to be reintroduced. We cannot accept this decision." he said.
'THE PLAYERS WE APPLAUD ON TELEVISION ARE 40 YEARS OLD'
Palaz noted that the rule was introduced to support young athletes, saying, "While supporting these young players, starting from the 3rd League, which is the lowest professional level, without including the Super League, 1st League, and 2nd League, shows that this does not make much sense. With 14 foreigners playing in the Super League, 8 foreigners in the 1st League, and no rules in the 2nd League, the exclusion of players aged 25 and over from the 3rd League is not accepted by the people here or those who cannot come here. Football has no age. The players we applaud on television are 40 years old. While applauding them so much, we do not want any age-related quotas in Turkish football. We do not want any changes regarding this. We do not want any limitations. We do not want things that are not applied in the world to be applied to Turkish athletes in our country, taking examples from football countries around the world." he said.
'WE ARE DISTURBED AND SADDENED BY GOING DOOR TO DOOR'
Palaz stated that they previously went to the TFF with a team of nearly 500 people, saying, "We met with President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu and Vice President Mr. Odyakmaz. At the point where we explained our problems this much, at the point where we were this much pleading, at the point where we behaved this respectfully, in the end, we ended up at the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Turkey, under the Turkish flag, where Turkish athletes come. We are extremely disturbed and saddened by the blatant removal of the rights of people and going door to door. We want this to be changed, revised, and returned to a normal state where everyone will be happy as soon as possible." he expressed.