Interview causes stir: After Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş also reacts to beIN Sports over Okan Buruk coverage

In the 6th week of the Süper Lig, Trabzonspor defeated the league leaders Galatasaray 4-0 at home. The yellow-reds' manager, Okan Buruk, was shown a red card during the match.

The broadcaster beIN Sports aired the comments of Buruk, who had been sent off, regarding the referee's decision through its reporter.

The fact that the broadcaster aired the statements of the red-carded Buruk has sparked public debate.

?? "Okan Buruk stated, 'I did not say anything bad to the referee. I never insulted the referee. I asked about the position and he gave me a yellow card. I asked the referee why I received a yellow card and then he sent me off directly. I did not have any insults or bad words.'"

???… pic.twitter.com/8tZdvSqW7J

— beIN SPORTS Türkiye (@beINSPORTS_TR) September 19, 2026

Following the public debate, Fenerbahçe Sports Club issued a written statement.

Reacting to the broadcaster airing the comments of Okan Buruk, who was sent off, through its reporter, the Yellow-Navies' statement included the following: “Our demand is not for privilege, but for an equal broadcasting standard applied to every club in the same way. To ensure this standard is met, we expect the necessary explanation and corrections from the beIN SPORTS management. Otherwise, we inform the public that we will evaluate the option of suspending our relations with the broadcaster.”

Fenerbahçe's statement is as follows:

“We have carefully followed the broadcaster's decision to convey the comments of the opposing team's manager, who was sent off, regarding the referee's decision to the public through its own reporter.

Why have Fenerbahçe's controversial red cards, positions where we expected penalties, and VAR decisions not been brought to the agenda with the same sensitivity for years?

Our demand is not for privilege, but for an equal broadcasting standard applied to every club in the same way.

To ensure this standard is met, we expect the necessary explanation and corrections from the beIN SPORTS management.

Otherwise, we inform the public that we will evaluate the option of suspending our relations with the broadcaster.”

BEŞİKTAŞ ALSO REACTS

Following Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş Club also reacted to beIN Sports' broadcasting policy. The black-and-white club criticized the fact that the comments of a manager who had been sent off were aired live during the match "as if they were being defended."

Beşiktaş argued that the broadcaster had damaged the principle of impartiality and alleged that "selective and manipulative approaches" were displayed in how positions were reflected on screen and in the VAR room.

The club also stated that it had filed an official criminal complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the broadcaster last week, arguing that the importance of this legal step has become evident as other clubs have begun to show similar reactions.

Beşiktaş called on other clubs that demand justice in sports and impartial broadcasting to support the legal process it has initiated.

Beşiktaş's statement is as follows:

“As Beşiktaş Club, we have always acted with concrete and decisive steps, not just words, on the path to ensuring justice, transparency, and equality in sports.

In the match played yesterday, the fact that the comments of a manager who had been sent off were aired live during the match as if they were being defended has once again clearly shown how the broadcaster (beIN Sports) has trampled on the principle of impartiality. Our stance against this attitude, which damages broadcasting principles and the integrity of sporting competition, and against the selective and manipulative approaches displayed in reflecting positions on screen and in the VAR room, is not limited to social media messages.

Indeed, our Club has initiated a historic and concrete legal process on behalf of Turkish sports by filing an official criminal complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the broadcaster last week.

The developments in recent days and the fact that other clubs have also begun to voice similar complaints have once again clearly revealed how justified and timely this legal step we have taken is.

We invite the entire Turkish sports public and clubs who are sincere in their demand for justice in sports and impartial broadcasting to stand behind this concrete legal struggle we have initiated and to follow it, rather than being content with mere wishes.

Respectfully submitted for the information of the public.”