Is there a legal obstacle to a foreign referee in the derby? ''Not in accordance with MHK instructions''

Atakan Emre Altunekin - 12punto.com.tr

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu held a press conference in Riva. President Hacıosmanoğlu announced that a world-class foreign referee will officiate the derby match to be played between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. Lawyer Birkan Bozkurt, however, stated that this announcement by the TFF President does not comply with the MHK instructions and is against the law.

''FOREIGN REFEREE IN THE DERBY IS AGAINST THE INSTRUCTIONS''

While discussions regarding foreign referees in the Super Lig continue, lawyer Birkan Bozkurt stated that according to the current MHK instructions, the appointment of a foreign referee is not legally possible, and evaluated the TFF's announcement that 'a foreign referee will officiate the Super Lig match to be played between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray' for 12Punto. In his statement on the subject, Bozkurt included the following expressions:

"- A referee who will officiate a match in Turkey must have had their visa processed between May 1 and June 30, 2024, and must have paid the visa fee by May 31, 2024. If these conditions are not met, the relevant referee cannot serve in Turkey. (MHK Instruction Art. 30)"

- In addition to this, the visas of referees who do not attend the Central Referee Board's (MHK) pre-season and mid-season seminars are cancelled. Therefore, it is not legally possible for a referee who does not attend these seminars to officiate a match in Turkey. (MHK Instruction Art. 31)

- Furthermore, for the MHK to add a foreign referee to the referee roster, they must first open a course and these referees must have successfully completed the course in question. Since such a process has not been carried out, the appointment of a foreign referee is against the law. (MHK Instruction Art. 39)

- In accordance with the provisions in question, it is not possible to appoint a foreign referee to the derby.''

Lawyer Birkan Bozkurt stated that it is not legally possible to appoint a foreign referee to the derby in line with the current instructions, and emphasized that the process should be explained to the public correctly.

WHAT DID HACIOSMANOĞLU SAY?

TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu included the following expressions in his statement regarding the foreign referee:

"The expectation of the entire public is that the derby passes in a healthy atmosphere for football, where the historical rivalry is honored, common sense and mutual respect come to the fore, and sportsmanship is discussed. We have sincerely called on the parties. Because the tension between the two clubs is negatively affecting Turkish football. As members of the football family, all clubs are equally important. As the TFF, we have to consider all members of this family. We are taking our steps accordingly. Not only the Super Lig, but all leagues are valuable."

THE FOREIGN REFEREE FOR THE DERBY HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

In the statement made by the TFF, the foreign referee for the Super Lig week 25 match to be played between Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray has been announced. Slovenian football referee Slavko Vincic will officiate the derby.