He wrote about referees with police backgrounds: A phone call to Erman Toroğlu from Minister Çiftçi!

Former referee and Sözcü columnist Erman Toroğlu said that Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi called him following an article he wrote regarding referees and representatives with police backgrounds serving in football matches.

In his article dated October 2, 2026, Toroğlu had claimed that there were 284 referees and representatives with police backgrounds serving in football matches in Turkey. Stating that Minister Çiftçi had a phone conversation with him after the article, Toroğlu noted that Çiftçi expressed he was hearing about the issue for the first time.

According to Toroğlu, Minister Çiftçi said during the conversation, "I was not aware of such an incident. I heard it for the first time, thank you. My Director General of Security was also with me. I also spoke with the General Commander of the Gendarmerie, Erman Hocam... I will investigate it, I will do what is necessary."

In his article, Toroğlu emphasized that the professions of police officer and soldier are "honorable professions," and reminded that soldiers were withdrawn from such duties in football years ago. Stating that referees and representatives with police backgrounds are left facing clubs, fans, and the press, Toroğlu argued that this situation wears these individuals down.

News Source: 12punto