A soccer referee’s decision to toss a bitcoin before the start of a recent match between Istanbul giants Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe has sparked controversy in Turkey. The country’s football authority is trying to establish why a crypto coin was used for the ritual when that role should have been reserved for the Turkish lira.
Bitcoin Coin Toss in a Soccer Game Under Investigation In Turkey
The latest clash between Istanbul soccer clubs Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe ended in a 1-1 draw but it’s not the tight game that drew the most attention, the Turkish daily Hürriyet wrote in article about the sports event. With photos posted on social media showing the referee flipping a Bitcoin-branded coin, it’s the kick-off ceremony that came to the forefront, the newspaper notes.
Referees would flip a coin before each soccer match to decide which team will start the ball. Turkish Football Federation is investigating the situation. According to their rules referees may only use a 1 lira coins or a special referee currency with one side showing the goalpost and the other the football.
Former referee Murat Fevzi Tanırlı has been quoted describing the derby’s referee Arda Kardeşler’s coin choice as “monkey tricks.” Tanırlı accused his colleague of besmirching the profession’s reputation, expressed hope the investigation will shed light on his real intention and warned that Kardeşler may be punished for his act. Further comments were made by the veteran referee on the incident.
This is not forgetfulness. It’s a move. It is a scandal to me that such an expert referee would do this.
In statement quoted by Anadolu Agency, the TFF said that Kardeşler flipped a “commemorative Bitcoin” without the knowledge or approval of the federation or Turkey’s Central Refereeing Committee. According to Anadolu Agency, Kardesler, 34 years old, is a FIFA-licensed referee who has 25 matches under his belt this season. He may have signed an agreement for cryptocurrency platforms without having the consent of the governing body.
Turkish media outlets remark that the kick-off ceremony for the Beşiktaş – Fenerbahçe derby was also covered by many global sports websites, with commentators suggesting that FIFA, the International Federation of Association Football, and UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, may also get involved in the case.
Hürriyet notes that several online shopping websites sell commemorative coins of Bitcoin. A number of cryptocurrency platform have entered into sponsorship and commercial agreements with sporting teams, and some advertisements have featured Turkish athletes in recent years.
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