19.02.2025 17:30
Galatasaray's initial reaction to the Turkish Football Federation's decision to appoint a foreign referee for the Fenerbahçe derby was very harsh. The yellow-reds drew attention with their statement, which included the phrases, "Stop being the federation of one club, cease creating more chaos, and do what is necessary for Turkish football!" Additionally, Cimbom posed three questions to the federation.
```html
Galatasaray published a statement regarding the Turkish Football Federation's decision to appoint a foreign referee for the Fenerbahçe derby. The yellow-reds used very harsh expressions in the statement regarding the foreign referee decision and the planned meeting before the derby.
"ANOTHER INCONSISTENCY ADDED TO TFF'S INCONSISTENCIES"
The statement from Galatasaray is as follows;
"The Turkish Football Federation has added another inconsistency to the inconsistencies it has repeated since the day it took office.
On the first day it was elected, after saying that club presidents would not be referred to the PFDK, it started to punish the presidents, and on the evening of the day when it said in a meeting with club presidents, "If there are statements that escalate the environment from now on, they will find me against them," it did not react to the vice president of the rival club who was going around channels to escalate the environment. After saying, "As long as I am here, there will be no foreign referees," a few months later it said, "If there is a request from both sides, we will evaluate it," and today, the federation and its president, who remember that they are the authority in football, have fallen into a contradiction that no longer surprises us.
In addition to the inconsistent statements we listed above, the TFF's presentation of the invitation they made without our approval, just one hour before our critical match, to the press like a promotional work clearly reveals who is not sincere.
On the other hand, it was announced in the press conference held today by the TFF President that a foreign referee would be appointed for our match to be played on Monday.
THEY ASKED 3 QUESTIONS TO TFF
On this occasion, we direct the following questions to the TFF:
- Has the mentioned referee obtained a license for the 2024 – 2025 season in accordance with the MHK Regulation, paid the visa fee, and submitted these documents to the Provincial Referee Board?
- Has the potential foreign referee been included in the Elite Referee Squad List announced on January 2, 2025?
- Again, in accordance with the MHK Regulation, when determining foreign referees who can officiate in matches, has he fulfilled the simplest requirement of attending the course?
While the answers to these questions remain open, we see the preliminary preparations made through the names of referees that are known to be commissioned by someone. We are aware that all these efforts aim to create a result in favor of our opponent in this match, and if that does not happen, as we have experienced before, an attempt to prevent the match from being completed.
"STOP BEING A CLUB OF A FEDERATION"
We invite the Turkish sports public to stand united against this organized evil that aims to pit brother against brother.
Our only request from our supporters is to remain calm against these provocations and to spend all their energy supporting our team on the field.
Justice will eventually be served, and in the end, the good will prevail!
We warn the Turkish Football Federation one last time that if it is truly the authority in football, it should bring justice for all clubs instead of doing whatever someone wants.
Stop being a federation of a club, stop creating more chaos, and do what is necessary for Turkish football!"
WHAT DID OKAN BURUK SAY?
Galatasaray's head coach Okan Buruk also evaluated the TFF's decision on foreign referees at the press conference held before the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 playoff match against AZ Alkmaar. Buruk also commented on the TFF's decision regarding the foreign referee for the Fenerbahçe derby. Buruk said, "Foreign referee... There was already such a plan, we had somehow heard that a decision had been made regarding this. It was coming as a rumor. The decision was made. What is important for us is to have a good referee, I have said this before. Hopefully, the referee has not been selected as decided. It will be evaluated correctly. Having a good referee is important for us. I never said that the referee's passport is not important. I look at the field. The selected referee is very important. There are a lot of rumors going around. If such a decision has been made, selecting the best referee will be good for Turkish football and the derby," he stated.
```