Will the referee for the Beşiktaş - Galatasaray derby be foreign? The name being discussed behind the scenes has emerged!

Ahead of the Beşiktaş - Galatasaray derby to be played in the 29th week of the Trendyol Super League, the referee issue is the number 1 agenda item for the sports community…

While debates continue over whether a domestic or foreign referee should officiate the derby, different views are emerging between the clubs and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Beşiktaş has requested a similar practice for their own match, citing the appointment of a foreign referee for the derby played between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe as a precedent. While the black-and-white club has conveyed this request to the TFF, the Galatasaray side has not yet made an official statement.

On the other hand, it is stated that there are disagreements within the TFF as well. According to a report by Sabah Newspaper, while Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu and some executives are in favor of a domestic referee, the vast majority of the management supports a foreign referee.

This issue was also discussed at the board meeting held after iftar last Friday. While the president and some executives defended a domestic referee, the majority voted in favor of a foreign referee. It is alleged that only one executive remained neutral at the meeting.

Beşiktaş stated that it does not want to damage its relations with the federation and requested that its demand be taken into consideration. The TFF and the Central Referee Board (MHK), however, maintain the view that a domestic referee should be appointed.

While the official announcement is expected to be made within this week, it is being discussed behind the scenes that Halil Umut Meler will officiate the derby.