Aziz Yildirim Explodes: "A Beaten Referee Cannot Officiate"

Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yildirim made explosive statements that will shake the sports public following their 2-1 home derby loss to Beşiktaş. Admitting that they played poorly and congratulating Beşiktaş, Yildirim directed his fury at the match referee, Halil Umut Meler, and the Central Referee Board. Arguing that they had two clear uncalled penalties, the president said, "Oğuz's position in the 5th minute and Kerem being brought down are clear penalties. If he had given them, we could have won despite playing badly. The VAR system is sleeping too. Bringing in foreign VAR referees is not the solution because if these referees are not being manipulated by someone, they are simply incompetent."

Targeting referee Meler, who was physically assaulted by a club president on the pitch in the past, Yildirim's words made headlines. Yildirim stated, "You cannot let a referee who was beaten by a president continue to officiate. He is already psychologically destroyed. Because he doesn't know what to do, he is slowly butchering us on the pitch. They think we don't understand; I have been in this business for 40 years. It's a pity for Turkish football." Emphasizing that their patience has run out and the TFF must immediately take precautions, Aziz Yildirim concluded, "We have put our hands under the stone both financially and morally. If necessary, we will demand everyone's resignation. If they try to stop us, I will speak very differently in a few weeks. They will punish me? I am not afraid of punishment. What is being done is a disgrace."

Image: HÜRRİYET