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The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended Danish VAR official Jakob Sundberg with effect from today over a contentious decision during the Super Lig game pitting Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor. The incident has also generated controversy on the standards of officiating within Turkish football.
The altercation took place in the 23rd week of the Trendyol Super Lig at the RAMS Park. On-field referee Oguzhan Cakir had awarded a penalty to Galatasaray after a collision between Adana Demirspor’s Semih and Galatasaray’s Dries Mertens. Following a VAR check led by Sundberg, it was determined that Semih had impeded Mertens’ play on the ball, and the penalty was issued. The players and staff of Adana Demirspor immediately protested, alleging that the penalty was unjust.
In a dramatic display of protest, players of Adana Demirspor stormed off the field in the 30th minute to protest against the ruling, resulting in the match being abandoned. The historic step has also added more controversy surrounding the use and reliability of VAR in Turkish football.
After the incident, TFF Chairman Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu and Refereeing Committee Chairman Ferhat Gundogdu moved swiftly. Referee Oguzhan Cakir has been suspended for a few weeks for closer scrutiny. More importantly, Jakob Sundberg’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect due to his role in the controversial decision.
The moves clearly indicate the TFF’s resolve to uphold the integrity of the sport and hold its officiating members accountable.
The incident has been fueling controversy over VAR’s effectiveness in Turkish football, with calls for greater accountability and better referee training. Opponents argue that such controversy weakens the league’s credibility and erodes public trust in fair play.
The TFF will be ruling on the official outcome of the abandoned game soon. This decision will be eagerly waited for, as it may have a bearing on how future such incidences are handled.
The federation has reiterated its commitment to fair play and the highest refereeing standards in Turkish football. Further reviews and potential reforms in the VAR system and referee training programs are anticipated as part of ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of the game.
