16.06.2026 12:10
TRT commentator Murat Ekrem Çimen, who confused the two teams for about 4 minutes during the Iran-New Zealand match at the World Cup that ended 2-2, was removed from the World Cup broadcast team after the mistake. TRT issued an apology regarding the incident and announced that an administrative investigation has been launched.
The Iran-New Zealand match played in Group G of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was broadcast on TRT screens. However, a narration error in the first minutes of the match did not escape the attention of viewers. It was observed that live commentator Murat Ekrem Çimen confused Iran and New Zealand for approximately 4 minutes.
HE MIXED UP THE TWO TEAMS
In the opening part of the match, attacks developed by Iran were reported as New Zealand attacks, while New Zealand's positions were described as Iran attacks. The confusion quickly became a hot topic among football fans.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM TRT
Following the reactions, TRT issued a written statement. In the statement, the institution stated that the incident was unacceptable in terms of TRT broadcasting standards and apologized to the viewers.
"UNACCEPTABLE"
The TRT statement included the following expressions:
"The error made in the narration of the Iran-New Zealand match played this morning at 04:00 TSI in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is unacceptable in terms of TRT broadcasting standards." The statement also reported that the necessary administrative and inspection processes have been initiated.
REMOVED FROM THE WORLD CUP TEAM
The institution announced that within the scope of the investigation process, Murat Ekrem Çimen was withdrawn from the World Cup broadcast team in the USA. Accordingly, the experienced commentator will not be assigned to broadcasts in the remaining part of the tournament.
TRT: DESPITE 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE...
In its statement, TRT emphasized that such a mistake by a person with over 30 years of experience in sports broadcasting is unacceptable for the institution. The institution stated that it will not compromise on practices contrary to broadcasting standards.
HE CLOSED HIS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
TRT's commentator Murat Ekrem Çimen, who mixed up the teams for 5 minutes during the Iran-New Zealand match in the World Cup, closed his social media accounts after the reactions.