Türkiye’s foreign referee controversy ahead of Fenerbahce-Galatasaray derby

Refereeing decisions in football often spark debate, but in Türkiye, they frequently become the main focus. Now, ahead of one of the most anticipated matches of the season, the Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby, the discussion is centered not on the teams, but on the referee. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic to officiate the match, with his compatriots Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic as assistant referees. Kadir Saglam will serve as the fourth official.

This decision may seem “unusual” today, but foreign referees have officiated matches in Türkiye for decades. In the early 20th century, when football was still developing in the territories of Ottoman Türkiye, foreign officials were used for key matches. One of the first recorded cases was James La Fontaine, a British referee who officiated games in 1907.

Following the Ottoman Türkiye era, during the Republican era beginning in 1923, an Austrian referee was brought in to officiate a replayed final between Izmirspor and Fenerbahce after a disputed match in 1933. Throughout the 1940s, foreign referees continued to be used occasionally, but by the 1970s, Türkiye transitioned to a system relying entirely on domestic referees.

Now, after decades, TFF has revived the idea of using a foreign referee for an important match. According to TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, this decision was made to ensure fairness and reduce controversy. However, not everyone agrees. Galatasaray formally objected to Vincic’s appointment, filing an appeal with the Arbitration Board (Tahkim Kurulu) after previously expressing concerns. The club also declined TFF’s invitation to a meeting with Fenerbahce officials to discuss the matter.

This match is highly significant in the title race, but instead of focusing solely on the game, much of the conversation has been about the referee selection. This raises an important question: Is using a foreign referee a genuine solution to officiating concerns, or is it just a temporary decision to avoid immediate criticism?

By choosing a foreign referee, TFF is also making a statement about the trust in domestic referees. If foreign officials are needed for high-stakes matches, what does this imply about the confidence in local referees? Should this become a trend, will TFF have to consider using foreign referees for more key matches in the future?

A short-term solution or a step toward change?

Debates over refereeing have long been a major topic in Turkish football. Clubs, officials, and fans often raise concerns about consistency, transparency, and fairness in decision-making. To address these concerns, TFF experimented with foreign Video Assistant Referees (VAR) last season, believing that external officials would bring greater neutrality. However, after a change in leadership, the practice was initially discontinued, only to be reintroduced midway through this season due to ongoing debates about refereeing standards.

Despite these measures, dissatisfaction remains. Some argue that foreign referees can help reduce bias, while others believe that trust in refereeing must be built from within by strengthening the domestic officiating system. Ultimately, the real issue is trust: a refereeing system can only function properly if it is viewed as fair, independent, and credible by all sides.

At the heart of all these discussions is a simple expectation shared by all football supporters: fair play! Regardless of which team they support, fans want matches where the outcome is determined by the players, not by controversial refereeing decisions. This expectation extends not only to the teams and players but also to those responsible for monitoring and ensuring fair competition. The role of the referee, whether domestic or foreign, is to uphold the integrity of the game, and for many, trust in this process remains the most important issue.

In recent seasons, officiating controversies have grown beyond individual matches. Earlier this season, a game was interrupted when one team protested a referee’s decision by leaving the pitch. Last year, a team fielded a youth squad in a major final as a form of protest. These incidents show that concerns over refereeing have become a much larger issue in Turkish football.

TFF’s decision to appoint Vincic may have been intended to calm tensions, but Galatasaray’s appeal shows that discussions on refereeing are far from settled. If foreign referees are now seen as necessary for key matches, does this suggest a lack of faith in domestic referees? And if this practice continues, will TFF be expected to assign foreign referees more frequently in the future?

Historically, Türkiye moved away from foreign referees as the domestic officiating system was expected to improve. However, this latest decision signals that trust in local referees remains a problem. Even if Vincic officiates the match well, this move does not resolve the deeper issue as it is obvious that many within Turkish football still do not fully trust the refereeing system.

Refereeing debates exist in every football league, but in Türkiye, they often turn into full-scale controversies. The focus should not be on whether referees come from Türkiye or abroad but on how to build a system where all referees, regardless of nationality, are viewed as fair, professional, and independent.

The TFF’s growing reliance on foreign referees and foreign VAR officials shows that the federation is still searching for the best way to handle refereeing concerns. However, unless further steps are taken to strengthen trust, transparency, and consistency, these discussions will likely continue, regardless of whether referees are from Türkiye or another country.

The derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce will serve as a test case, not only for Slavko Vincic but also for how Turkish football manages refereeing issues moving forward. For now, bringing in a foreign referee may reduce immediate concerns, but whether it will restore long-term trust in officiating remains to be seen. If similar controversies continue, TFF may need to rethink its overall approach to refereeing.

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About the author: Ceren Harputlu is an analyst specializing in international relations. She occasionally contributes as a freelance writer.