TFF issues warning to clubs: 'Do not muddy' football

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has reportedly issued an announcement following statements made by Süper Lig clubs. In the statement released by the federation, a call was made for all football stakeholders to act with common sense and moderation. It was noted that the TFF is informing the public regarding the statements recently issued by Süper Lig clubs.

The statement made on the TFF's official website is as follows:

"As the Turkish Football Federation, since our first day in office, we have made a sincere effort to strengthen the environment of common sense, cooperation, and dialogue in our football, and we have worked intensively to ensure all our stakeholders join in this effort. We have received support from many of our sports clubs on this matter; we have made great efforts to establish a unifying and conciliatory approach in football.

However, we observe with regret that as we enter the final weeks of the league, some unfortunate statements coming from the esteemed executives of our sports clubs, rather than contributing to a solution, fuel conflict and cause serious harm to Turkish football.

Each of our clubs, which have set aside sportsmanship, respect, and the 'spirit of fair play' in order to gain superiority and priority in competition, actually possess cultures, identities, and deep-rooted traditions that guide Turkish sports.

Unfortunately, however, the current representatives of these distinguished sports clubs have made it a constant habit to make statements that contradict their century-old cultures, clearly harming Turkish football and social peace. Football, which enables millions of people with different cultures, views, and origins to unite in the joy of victory and the sadness of defeat by dedicating their hearts to the same colors, should be unifying, not divisive. While encouraging an opponent to be better and achieve greater success raises the quality of football, rhetoric that borders on insult, so to speak, 'muddies the green fields,' makes football unpleasant and unplayable, and lowers the sports culture.

There is no benefit to anyone in constantly disturbing the Turkish society, which loves football unconditionally and adopts the motto of sharing in joy and sorrow, with these statements; and in the final analysis, it will be our clubs that pay the price for such statements that will lower the value of the country's football.

As children of a culture where the good is exalted and the bad is condemned, we once again invite all football stakeholders to act with common sense and moderation.

Let no one have any doubt that we will continue to apply disciplinary instructions and penal sanctions within the framework of the law without compromise against low-level rhetoric and attitudes that demand privilege rather than justice.

Respectfully announced to the public."