In the 35th week of the Trendyol Super Lig, Başakşehir President Göksel Gümüşdağ reacted to the referee management in the match they lost 4-1 to Fenerbahçe. Gümüşdağ spoke to the press after the game played at Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
Gümüşdağ, who stated that the referee of the match performed very poorly, said, “Unfortunately, we watched with astonishment the referee decisions that overshadowed the game. A referee management that made both teams unhappy, a very poor performance. We all see the situation of MHK and Turkish refereeing. I made a press release in December. I made statements about the President of MHK that day; I said that the necessary actions should be taken, and that the decision regarding MHK should be taken by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).”
Gümüşdağ, stating that they have been following what Turkish refereeing has been going through since that period, continued as follows: “Unfortunately, Turkish referees have become unable to get matches internationally. It has decreased much more compared to the past, Turkish refereeing is going through a very bad process both locally and internationally. I’m not talking about the score, it’s a miserable situation for Turkish refereeing. The referee’s disgraceful decisions, disastrous decisions… When you look at the incidents in Turkey related to MHK, I think TFF is responsible for MHK being in this situation. Turkish refereeing has suffered a great deal because TFF did not make decisions. I see very little chance of the President of MHK staying here. I see the chance of staying as zero. However, the damage he has done will make it difficult for Turkish refereeing to recover even after he leaves, I am sorry about that. We are a team with European ambitions, we saw that not even 2 red cards could be clearly given. Decisions that will completely affect the score. I think it overshadowed the game. MHK will definitely leave, but how long it will take for the damage he has done to be repaired, I don’t see that very well.”
In the statement made by the club, it was stated that Gümüşdağ’s reactions were not just about one match, but about the problems in Turkish refereeing in general. It was emphasized that the decisions taken in the past weeks caused great reactions, and it was stated that the necessary steps should be taken at the point reached.
The fact that the President of the Central Arbitration Board, Yusuf Namoğlu, did not make any statements after the match was interpreted as a sign of change in the management. It was also reported that the club officials, who will make a comprehensive evaluation at the end of the season, are considering making changes in the arbitration board.
Despite the defeat, Başakşehir, who managed to maintain their place in the top 10, will play against Gençlerbirliği on the road next week. As the tension in Turkish refereeing continues to increase, it is eagerly awaited how the developments will affect the rest of the season.
