Fenerbahçe VP Acun Ilıcalı: “Referees Are Fueling Tensions in Turkish Football!”

Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilıcalı made very important statements during a live broadcast. Ilıcalı used harsh words, particularly regarding their arch-rivals Galatasaray, making headlines with his explosive remarks. He also spoke about the Medina transfer that didn’t happen during the summer transfer window.

Speaking on current issues, Ilıcalı touched on significant points. In his statements to Derin Futbol on Beyaz TV, he especially made striking comments about their rivals, Galatasaray.

Here are the statements from Fenerbahçe Vice President Acun Ilıcalı:

“I spoke concretely about the events. I said, ‘Don’t delve into my copying incident from school, don’t slander me.’ What happens if you slander me personally? We didn’t get an answer, and unfortunately, I have to say that I was proven right within three days. I said that a team was gaining illogical advantages. Just yesterday, a team didn’t get a red card in the 10th minute. I had already explained this! Look at the Dries Mertens incident…

‘We are waiting for what they will do’

“There are referees and observers embedded in the system! I’m not talking about the TFF (Turkish Football Federation) President or the Head of MHK (Referees’ Association). The TFF President said he would take action if there were mistakes in VAR. We are waiting to see what they will do.”

“I called the Head of England’s MHK and asked how they select their referees. His answer was, ‘We ask the incoming referee which team they support, where they reside, and whether there are any fans of certain teams in their family or circle. Based on these, we assign them to matches.’ There is no such system in Turkey!”

‘I’m proven right within 3 days’

“Let me explain why we trust İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu. The referee, the observer, the VAR referee… I don’t know who! When the president came in, he said he saw those who made mistakes in VAR. I’m not a policeman, I’m not an inspector! I don’t care about the reason! I’m presenting something concrete! The elbow was clearly thrown, but no card! I’m saying something strange is happening here, and within 3 days, I’m proven right.

Either the referees are provoking us to attack the TFF, or they are sabotaging the TFF President! They’re up to something! We will dismantle this system piece by piece.

The match was stopped for 17 minutes, 10 of which were due to VAR. And you give only 6 minutes of extra time! What is this called? Why doesn’t this happen to Fenerbahçe? The game should be stopped for 15 minutes, and the referee should want to end it in 5!”

‘I called Aytaç and asked’

“A ball came from 40 meters away; did it hit the player’s hand or not? After the match, I called Aytaç Kara, and he confirmed the ball hit his hand. The only match you can point to is this one, and even then, the ball hit his hand! We didn’t win unfair points in this match. Aytaç isn’t even a Fenerbahçe fan.

‘You can’t officiate objectively’

“If you attend referees’ online meetings under the nickname ‘Champion Galatasaray,’ you cannot officiate a match objectively. I don’t trust your decisions!

If we can’t avoid assigning referees to games involving teams they support, then the solution is foreign referees! 90% of the problem stems from the referees. The tension is caused by them.”

‘It made me sick to my stomach’

“I don’t know Galatasaray executive Metin Öztürk. I researched him, but I found nothing. He’s talking about the Vice President of Fenerbahçe. No matter how you look at it, his comments made me sick. He’s trying to belittle me, can’t even string two sentences together. I have no idea what gave him the confidence to speak condescendingly. Then he says, ‘We want calm.’ I think Dursun Özbek will address this with him. Since I represent Fenerbahçe, I won’t comment further on him.

Icardi Comment

“A Galatasaray player sending a message while wearing a jersey with the Fenerbahçe President’s name on it is crossing the line. Galatasaray’s player mocking the Fenerbahçe President is disrespectful. If you allow this, we won’t be able to control our players tomorrow either.

‘Mourinho’s frustration is clear’

“Jose Mourinho is happy at Fenerbahçe. We talked 15 minutes ago. He’s unhappy with the referees in Turkey! When a person reaches their breaking point, they protest, and that’s why he placed a laptop [on the pitch]. It’s clear why Mourinho is frustrated, and he’s extremely surprised! He’s trying to understand what’s going on.

Medina Transfer

“Medina wants to come to Fenerbahçe. He is very determined about it. But Boca Juniors is going through tough times. They told us, ‘Not now, but let’s talk in January.’”

İrfan Can Kahveci should stay at Fenerbahçe”

Touching on Irfan Can Kahveci, who is in the final year of his contract, Ilıcalı said, “Irfan Can Kahveci is very valuable, I love him very much. Ali Koç loves him too. He should stay at Fenerbahçe. We have a very high-quality team. Our coach decides who will play.”

En-Nesyri Comment

Acun Ilıcalı mentioned that Youssef En-Nesyri is improving his performance day by day, and despite Sevilla receiving offers of 35-40 million euros, the player has chosen Fenerbahçe.