Let’s begin by quickly reviewing the current season.
The 2020-21 season is the 63rd season of the Turkish professional soccer leagues. It began on 11 September 2020 and will conclude on 16 May 2021. The Süper Lig fixtures were drawn on 26 August 2020, at the Orhan Saka Hall in Beykoz Riva. For the first time in its history, the Süper Lig is being played with 21 teams in a single group. Furthermore, four teams will be relegated at the end of the season, and three teams will be relegated from the lower leagues. Starting in the 2021-22 season, the Süper Lig will comprise 20 teams. (See Wikipedia: https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020-21_S%C3%BCper_Lig )
Problems and Solutions
In the 2020-21 season, we are witnessing the fierce competition between Turkey’s three biggest clubs. Speaking of relentless, the presidents and managers, managers and members of the coaching staff, players, and fans of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş are constantly subjecting us to the same absurdities. I will explain the problems encountered, along with my proposed solutions:
1) Statements about the referees
All teams, including their managers, managers, and players, constantly complain about the referee. While I find some criticisms justified, I believe some criticisms are overblown and fuel the chaos. Often, these criticisms of the referees are made to blame for defeats. Those within the soccer community should focus on playing good soccer.
Solution:
a) Leave the authority to comment on the referees to those who are qualified: Post-game commentary on the referee should be prohibited for any club, except for a former professional referee who has been a competent referee. They should also be allowed to comment on the game the day after the game, having replayed and studied the positions. Former referees from this sports club should be able to admit not only the wrong decisions made against them but also the wrong decisions made in their favor when commenting on game situations.
b) International Committee: Furthermore, a committee of world-renowned, trusted foreign referees, hired by the Soccer Federation, should impartially comment on refereeing decisions after each game. While commenting on their own comments and findings, they should also personally address the comments of former referees representing their respective soccer clubs and provide their final assessments. This method will significantly contribute to the training of young referees and the public in soccer knowledge.
2) Impulsive Statements Outside of Refereeing Decisions
Managers and players who make pointed statements outside of refereeing decisions create chaos and fuel negative media coverage on visual, print, and social media.
Solution:
a) Statement Representatives: One or two representatives should be present at soccer teams. If possible, these representatives should be chosen from among those who can speak calmly and choose their words correctly.
If a statement representative persists after a warning, they should not be allowed to manage any club. Additionally, the club should be sanctioned to change its representative. Severe sanctions should also be imposed on clubs that fail to change their representatives.
b) Sanctions and penalties for players who conduct interviews: Players who make statements that could create chaos during interviews should first be given a warning. If they persist, they should be banned from soccer for a certain period. If they persist, they should be banned permanently.
c) Disclosure of penalties: Penalties should be disclosed on the Turkish Soccer Federation’s website, regardless of whether they are players or officials, and the list should be made publicly available.
3) VAR System and Errors
Despite the existence of the VAR system, we frequently witness blatant refereeing errors. Some of these errors are intentional, while others are unintentional.
Solution:
a) Renewal: On-field referees need to be renewed. A brand-new refereeing system should be established, comprised of young referees with a clean record.
b) Separation of duties: Separation of those who manage the VAR system from those who officiate games on the field is necessary. A certain level of experience is required to manage the VAR system, but if you are a VAR referee, you should not be a referee on the field.
c) Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence needs to be added to the VAR system. Even if VAR referees fail to notice certain details, the computer system should be able to issue warnings so they don’t miss anything.
4) Transfer frenzy
All teams are making reckless, unauthorized transfers. Debts have increased exponentially. This problem is common in almost all sports clubs.
Solution:
a) Restriction rules: The Turkish Soccer Federation needs to have a structure similar to the criteria introduced by UEFA. Everyone should be made to live within their means, as if they have enough bread and butter, and those who fail to comply should face severe penalties. This could include relegation from the league or the closure of the club.
b) Accountability: Accountability rules should be established for club presidents and directors, and even the law should be amended to accommodate this. Presidents or directors who incur debts for the club should be held accountable for these debts, even after their term ends.
c) Support from banks: A new 7+2-year agreement has been signed between the clubs and the Banks Association. You can read the details at https://www.msn.com/tr-tr/spor/haberler/son-dakika-kul%C3%BCpler-ile-bankalar-birli%C4%9Fi-aras%C4%B1nda-7-2-y%C4%B1l%C4%B1k-yeni-anla%C5%9Fma/ar-BB1eL7eD?ocid=entnewsntp . This is a good step, but it’s not enough. Turkish banks also need to shoulder the responsibility during the transition period. All possible support is essential in this regard. If necessary, the state can act as a regulator.
5) Fan-related problems
All fans are constantly attacking each other on social media, leaving everything behind. Even if nothing happens, they create and spread false news, constantly fueling chaos. Hatred and polarization are increasing in society.
Solution:
a) Responsibility for its fans: Every team must be held accountable for its own fans. Clubs that fail to take precautions in this regard should be subject to serious penalties. Swearing, spreading false information, and broadcasting in a way that incites the opposing team should be prevented.
b) Warnings and penalties: Those who spread false news, offend opposing team fans, or spread news that harms the club’s interests should be warned. If the relevant news is not removed, the relevant news from these accounts should be removed in accordance with the agreements they have reached with the management of the social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, etc.). In the event of a second removal, the accounts should be closed. If the same individuals continue to open similar accounts (if they open accounts under a different name that cause confusion), they should be sentenced to prison.
6) Media Provocation
Controversial news continues to appear in the media.
Solution:
a) Accurate reporting: A mechanism must be established to verify every news item. It is necessary to ensure that truthful news is reported and to disseminate this culture throughout the press. If necessary, the press law should be amended. The most dodgiest news appears in the sports and tabloid press.
b) Media sanctions: Sanctions are also needed for journalists who produce news that creates chaos in society.
7) Ensuring that soccer fields and stadiums are suitable for playing soccer
Clubs that invest millions of dollars in player transfers must, above all else, ensure that their soccer fields and stadiums are suitable for playing soccer.
Solution:
Punishments such as deductions for points, playing at a different stadium (playing at the home stadium of the team they are playing at) and not at their home stadium could also be considered, monetary fines, and relegation to a lower league if the field is unstable for most games throughout the season.
By implementing all these solutions step by step, we can minimize the chaos experienced in Turkish soccer, which recurs in greater or lesser degrees every season. This is essential if we want to live in a healthy society and enjoy sport.
Tag: education
