Referee outcry at Kocaelispor after Fenerbahçe match: 'Skriniar should be deported'

In the 20th week of the Trendyol Süper League, Kocaelispor was defeated 2-0 by Fenerbahçe on their home turf. Following the yellow-navy team's goal, the gesture made by Milan Skriniar toward the stands caused a widespread public reaction. The Kocaelispor Club will monitor whether the player will be referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) and will subsequently file a criminal complaint in line with the prepared file. Speaking to the Ihlas News Agency (IHA), Kocaelispor President Recep Durul made harsh statements regarding the issue.

"SKRINIAR SHOULD BE DEPORTED"

President Recep Durul called on the Turkish Football Federation, Fenerbahçe Club President Sadettin Saran, and yellow-navy figures with businesses in Kocaeli, demanding that Skriniar's license be revoked and that he be deported from the country. Reacting to both the player's gesture and the officiating of the match, Durul stated, "As a club, we want the ugly gesture made by Milan Skriniar to be punished by the TFF, his contract to be terminated, and for him to even be deported from the country. We will make the necessary application for this."

"ON A BLESSED HOLY NIGHT..."

Stating that the sensitivities in the country should not be ignored, President Durul expressed his reaction with the words, "It is impossible to stomach this ugly gesture made by a foreign player on a blessed holy night. It is extremely inappropriate. Neither clubs nor the federation should allow this. It must be punished in the harshest way. Otherwise, it means nepotism is being practiced openly. We are a Muslim society and the Turkish society will not tolerate this. We cannot allow this. Such things create public outrage. Players from other clubs have done similar things and were punished. It was a very ugly gesture; it must be punished as soon as possible. Regardless of which player it is, their name or reputation should not be considered."

CRITICISM OF REFEREE DECISIONS

Touching upon the officiating of the match, the Kocaelispor President argued that referees have problems regarding impartiality. Durul said, "Whistles are blown according to the community. Betting and match-fixing operations are being carried out. But the operation should actually be carried out against blowing whistles according to jersey colors. Our rights were stolen again. The referee ignoring things, the insensitivity of the VAR referee, the red and yellow cards not given... As Kocaelispor, we will seek our rights to the end and, as a community, we will hold them accountable sooner or later. Both our points were stolen and red cards were not given. Whistles should be blown for justice, for transparency. There is a structure in this country that triggers cronyism."

Emphasizing that the TFF must take action on this issue, Durul stated that otherwise, the justice of the league would be harmed. The President said, "The federation must urgently address the issue of nepotism and cronyism. Otherwise, there is no need for other teams. Let 2-3 teams go out and play, and we will watch. Let us not put in this much effort, let us not suffer. Is it really this easy? The referee came as if he had been set up. He cuts off positions, punches are thrown and he doesn't show a card, he doesn't go to VAR... Then why are we playing football?"

"WE HAVE LOST 18 POINTS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON"

Stating that "there is no difference between Milan Skriniar's gesture and the situation the referee displayed in the match," the president of the Gulf representative continued his words as follows:

"Both should be banned from football. Everyone in the city is up in arms. This is a disaster. Everyone else may have remained silent, but we as Kocaelispor will not be silent, we will not remain quiet. We have lost 18 points since the beginning of the season. We are very angry and tense about what happened in yesterday's match and what was inflicted upon us and our community. We want this issue to be resolved impatiently. The federation must take measures as soon as possible."

"A REFEREE SHOULD PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF BOTH TEAMS"

Arguing that there is discrimination between teams in the Süper Lig, Durul stated that betting and match-fixing operations would only make sense if justice is ensured. The president said, "There is a distinction made between Anatolian teams and Istanbul teams, which should not be the case. They are all Süper Lig teams. Unless transparency is ensured on the pitch and the distinction between clubs is eliminated, it is meaningless to conduct match-fixing or betting operations. Respect for clubs should not be based on their colors. All of them should be respected. Whistles should not be blown according to the team. Why do you go out on the pitch? A referee should protect the rights of both teams and give confidence to both sides. He should ensure balance. It is the referee who should eliminate injustice. He represents transparency. Why is justice not ensured in football? Why is it not being cleaned of these?"

"WHISTLES SHOULD NOT BE BLOWN ACCORDING TO A BIG TEAM"

Touching upon the distinctions made between clubs based on their size, Durul emphasized justice. The president said, "The greatness of a team is measured by the justice it displays. If it is big, it should show its justice, and it must show it. If its player makes such ugly gestures to society, big clubs should do what is necessary. When referees commit injustice, they should come out and explain it courageously. On the other hand, there is no such thing as a small or big team. There are strong and relatively weak teams. Whistles should not be blown according to a big team."

REACTION TO BROADCASTER AND COMMENTATORS

Addressing the broadcaster and sports commentators, the Kocaelispor President claimed that certain teams are being protected and favored. Durul said, "We also see the broadcaster doing what is necessary to keep teams in the race. Is it not a shame? Can there be such a setup? Some commentators are also fans of teams. They comment according to the team they support and influence public opinion and communities. Can there be such an autocratic structure for 2-3 teams? Some teams are pushed up to stay in the race, while others are pulled down."

CALL TO FENERBAHÇE EXECUTIVES

Finally, making a call to Fenerbahçe business people and executives who have investments in Kocaeli, Durul stated, "I want to address Ali Koç, Hakan Safi, and everyone in the Fenerbahçe management, as well as the federation, once again. Our demand is clear; revoke Skriniar's license and deport him from the country. Otherwise, this matter will go to much different places. We cannot digest this. It is difficult to overcome this."

News Source: İHA