26.07.2026 20:00
The Turkish Wrestling Federation launched an investigation and inquiry after Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya confronted a referee at the Minikler Wrestling Championship following his son's defeat. The Federation emphasized that any form of inappropriate interference and disrespect, regardless of title or rank, is unacceptable.
At the Turkey Minis Wrestling Championship held in Ankara, allegations that Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya stepped onto the mat and confronted the referee after his son lost a match made headlines. Following the incident, the Turkish Wrestling Federation issued a harsh statement, announcing that an investigation and inquiry had been launched.
FROM THE STANDS TO THE MAT A scandalous event occurred on the final day of the Turkey Minis Wrestling Championship in Ankara. It was alleged that Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Hamza Yerlikaya reacted to the referee's decisions during the match in which his son was defeated, jumping from the stands onto the mat. Claims that Yerlikaya walked toward the referee and then tried to remove him from the hall by grabbing his arm caused a great public outcry.
Hamza Yerlikaya "UNACCEPTABLE REGARDLESS OF TITLE" Following the developments, the Turkish Wrestling Federation (TGF) Board of Directors and the Central Referee Board issued a joint official statement. Emphasizing that protecting referees on duty at the field is a priority, the statement included the following expressions:
"As the Turkish Wrestling Federation, our primary priority is to ensure that our young athletes, who are the future of Turkish wrestling, compete in a safe, fair, and ethically appropriate environment. Any inappropriate intervention, pressure, or physical/verbal disrespect towards our referees, coaches, and athletes on duty at the field is unacceptable, regardless of their title or status."
REPORTS FILED: OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED Announcing that an investigation process had been initiated following the escalation of the incident, the Federation emphasized that no situation contrary to the spirit of sports and fair-play principles would be tolerated. Further details were shared in the continuation of the statement:
"A necessary review and investigation regarding the events that began with verbal pressure during the said match and continued afterward have been promptly initiated, and reports have been filed in line with the match observer and referee reports."
"WE WILL PROTECT THE AUTHORITY OF THE REFEREE POSITION" Underlining that the reputation of Turkish sports is above all else, Federation officials stated that they would follow the process to the end and concluded the statement with the following words:
"Our Federation will follow up on independent judicial and disciplinary processes and will maintain its determination to protect the reputation of Turkish sports and the authority of the referee position."