January 13 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has taken urgent measures following criticisms of refereeing in its Super League, with Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho having been in the vanguard of the fury.
Foreign VAR referees will be now be used for matches until the end of the championship, said the TFF.
“As of the past weeks, it has been observed that the discussions on VAR applications have negative effects on the football climate. In order to prevent this situation, protect the brand value of our football and ensure more effective use of the VAR system, as a result of the evaluation made by the board of directors, it has been decided to temporarily switch to foreign VAR referee application in the second half of the Super Lig,” said a TFF statement.
“It is evaluated that the transition period in question will allow our young referees to develop and gain competence. In addition, our efforts towards our goal of managing Turkish football completely with local referees by taking the development and competence of our young referees to the highest level will continue with the same determination. All necessary revisions will be made in the disciplinary instructions and other instructions in order for this structural transformation in the refereeing system to positively affect the football climate”, added from the Turkish FA.”
It is not yet clear which referees from which countries will be drafted in to officiate in Turkey.
See: Mourinho lashes out at biased referees
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1736750291labto1736750291ofdlr1736750291owedi1736750291sni@o1736750291fni1736750291
