15.11.2025 22:22
The respect shown by Gürcan Bayraktar, a referee from the Istanbul region, to the older team captain by calling him "brother" before a Regional Amateur League match overshadowed the score of the game and became a trending topic on social media.
The Turhal 60 Football Sports Club, competing in the 4th Group of the Regional Amateur League (BAL), faced Yeniçağa Sports Club away on Sunday, November 9.
RESPECT SHOWN BEFORE THE MATCH WENT VIRAL
The match was highlighted not by the score but by a meaningful gesture that took place before the game. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the respect shown by referee Gürcan Bayraktar to the older team captain went viral on social media.
'YOU'RE OLDER THAN ME, BUT...'
Before the match, Istanbul Regional Referee Gürcan Bayraktar called the team captains for the goal selection and drew attention with his courtesy towards Yeniçağa Sports' captain Hakan Çevik, who wears the number 14 jersey. Bayraktar said to the captain, "You are older than me, but I will address you by your name, brother, sorry," earning appreciation from players and fans for bringing respect for elders onto the field. This sincere behavior of the referee quickly became a topic on social media. While the score took a back seat in the match, the respectful moments contributed by referee Gürcan Bayraktar remained in people's minds.
'SUCH GENTLEMANLY CONDUCT SHOULD HAPPEN'
Mustafa Işık, a sports reporter in Tokat, expressed pride that such a rare event occurred in a match related to Tokat, stating, "I have been a sports reporter for years. We encounter such events very rarely. While organizing the news, I saw this video. I watched the video, and I really liked it. Especially for it to happen in our Turhal match, such events need to occur in Turkish football. Gentlemanly conduct needs to happen. I congratulate our referee brother," he said.
'I WANT THIS BEHAVIOR TO BE AN EXAMPLE'
Murat Can Daşkın stated, "I watched it on social media. The human approach of our referee was very beautiful for Turkish football. The problems in Turkish football are evident these days. I feel happy whenever I see such beautiful things. For Turkish referees to be valued, to speak valuably, and to behave humanely has also set an example for us. I congratulate them. I want such behaviors to be an example for other referees," he said.