Beşiktaş club's reaction to the absence of a foreign referee in the derby against Galatasaray

Beşiktaş club announced that the lack of appointment of a foreign referee for the crucial derby on Saturday, March 29 against Galatasaray in the Turkish Super League, is an "unacceptable" decision.

Beşiktaş once again repeated its request for the use of a foreign referee in the Turkish Super League derbies.

In a statement issued by the black-and-white team, it was said: "Beşiktaş club, which has always emphasized the need to establish justice and equality in Turkish football, has learned that the Turkish Football Federation intends not to appoint a foreign referee for the Beşiktaş-Galatasaray derby. If these claims are true, the federation is clearly applying a double standard and is undermining the fairness of football."

"If the federation felt the need for a foreign referee in the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby, but does not see it necessary in the Beşiktaş-Galatasaray derby, this is unacceptable."

The statement further emphasized: "If this decision has been made due to a lack of trust in domestic referees, this policy should be applied to all critical matches. Otherwise, no one can claim that such a decision aligns with the principles of neutrality and justice."

In conclusion, Beşiktaş club directly addressed its request to the federation officials: "While the issue of the presence or absence of a foreign referee in this derby has long occupied the minds of the football community, the Turkish Football Federation and its president, İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, have so far not taken any official stance. We ask him and the members of the federation's board to provide a clear response on this matter."