Ertuğrul Doğan, chairman of Trabzonspor, broke his silence and launched a fierce attack on refereeing in the Turkish league, stating that the level of officiating has wasted Trabzon's efforts in recent matches.
Trabzon is going through a difficult period since the start of this season, having managed to secure only one victory, which came against Başakşehir in a match where Mohamed Salah shone and scored two goals.
However, refereeing decisions have indeed been controversial for Trabzon in the Turkish league since the beginning of the season, prompting Ertuğrul Doğan to demand justice.
Read also... Expected Trabzonspor lineup against Gençlerbirliği today in the Turkish league
Doğan wrote in a statement shared by Trabzonspor's official account on the 'X' platform: "Years pass in Turkish football; during this time, teams, club administrations, and various investments have changed. The VAR system has emerged, and technology has advanced. Yet, one thing remains unchanged: referees' mistakes."
He added: "Although we are still at the beginning of this season, controversy over referees' performance has once again become the most significant issue in Turkish football, clearly revealing that we are facing a major problem that poses a danger to football here."
He clarified: "We cannot ignore the efforts made by the President of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, towards improving the level of refereeing in Turkey. While the federation president's sensitivity to this issue is evident, the problems faced by referees clearly highlight the root of the problem."
He continued: "Since the very first week of this season, the decisive decisions made against our team in the matches against Kasımpaşa, Başakşehir, and Amed Sportif far exceed what can be described merely as mistakes."
He went on: "We cannot accept a system where VAR technology fails to correct incorrect refereeing decisions, remaining silent at moments that require intervention, and where the simplest rules of football are interpreted differently in other matches."
He further stated: "We, Trabzonspor, have many goals we aim to achieve this season, and we are putting in tremendous effort to reach them. We will not remain silent about refereeing decisions that waste our efforts. We simply want justice."
He added: "Football in Turkey needs referees who are carefully trained according to European standards, possess good physical and mental fitness, capable of making correct decisions under pressure, and fully knowledgeable of all regulations."
He elaborated: "It is essential that those responsible for VAR technology are not merely interpreters of controversial situations, but apply the rules firmly and possess sufficient competence to correct clear on-field refereeing errors when necessary."
He concluded: "As a club, we do not have time to waste. We will no longer tolerate what is happening. Before today's match against Gençlerbirliği, I assure you: We do not want refereeing that wastes players' efforts on the pitch, clearly affects match results, and lacks credibility. You must change yourselves."
Trabzonspor is preparing for an important match tonight against Gençlerbirliği at "Papara Park" stadium, as part of the fourth round of the Turkish league championship.
Trabzonspor currently occupies 11th place in the Turkish league standings with 4 points.
Years pass in Turkish football; teams, administrations, squads, and investments change. VAR arrives, technology advances, and new standards are discussed in every area of football. However, one thing does not change: referees' mistakes. Although we are still at the beginning of the season, referees… pic.twitter.com/wA9wOENqKk — Trabzonspor (@Trabzonspor) September 6, 2026@Trabzonspor
