Decision announced regarding complaint about Galatasaray's jersey sponsorship
The Ministry of Trade has imposed sanctions on both Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor due to the display of advertisements for the website "meritking.news" on Galatasaray's jerseys and Adana Demirspor's advertising boards.
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The Advertising Board of the Ministry of Trade has issued a punitive decision regarding the display of advertisements for the website "meritking.news" by Super Lig clubs Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor.
In its decision, the Advertising Board stated that the jersey advertisements worn by Galatasaray players during the league match against Çaykur Rizespor featured the "meritking.news" website, which directs users to the "meritking" betting site—defined as illegal—and is designed to evoke the same brand.
The decision document noted that although the club's defense claimed the advertisement was displayed based on an opinion received from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and was subsequently terminated following a letter from the federation, Galatasaray acted in violation of the Commercial Code and the responsibility lies with the club's management.
Accordingly, the board decided that the advertisements must be terminated on the grounds that they clearly violate the provisions stating that "advertisements for services provided by fortune tellers, mediums, astrologers, and the like, as well as advertisements for illegal betting and gambling games, cannot be made in any way."
ADANA DEMIRSPOR COMPLAINT ALSO EXAMINED
The board also examined the "meritking.news" advertisements displayed on the stadium advertising boards during Adana Demirspor's home match against Galatasaray.
Consequently, a decision was issued to impose a suspension penalty on the club for the aforementioned advertisements, which were found to be in violation of the relevant provisions.