Turkish Referee Flips Bitcoin at Istanbul Derby Kick-Off, Soccer Authority Launches Probe
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 at 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.
Before every soccer match, the referee would flip a coin to determine which team is going to start with the football. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is now examining the case as according to its rules, referees are only allowed to use either a 1-lira coin or a special referee coin with one side showing a goalpost, and the other a 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. In further comments on the incident, the veteran referee stated: This is not forgetfulness, it is a move. I really cannot understand why such an experienced referee has scandalized this event.
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. The 34-year-old, a FIFA-licensed referee with 25 matches in his record this season, is suspected of having signed an agreement with a cryptocurrency platform without the approval of the governing bodies.
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. The daily also points out that a number of cryptocurrency platforms have signed commercial and sponsorship agreements with sports teams and Turkish athletes have already participated in some of their advertisements in the past few years. Tags in this story Bitcoin, bitcoin coin, COIN, coin toss, Crypto, Cryptocurrencies, Cryptocurrency, federation, Fenerbahçe, Flip, football, game, Lira, match, referee, soccer, Turkey, Turkish, Turkish lira Beşiktaş
Do you think the Turkish Football Federation will sanction the referee who tossed a Bitcoin coin at a soccer match? Share your expectations in the comments section below. Lubomir Tassev
Lubomir Tassev is a journalist from tech-savvy Eastern Europe who likes Hitchens’s quote: “Being a writer is what I am, rather than what I do.” Besides crypto, blockchain and fintech, international politics and economics are two other sources of inspiration. Tron DAO Reserve Acquires Millions in TRX, Bitcoin, and Tether to Safeguard USDD NEWS | 10 hours ago Onchain Analysis Report Says Terra"s Bitcoin Reserves Were Sent to Binance and Gemini NEWS | 12 hours ago
Image Credits: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons Previous articleUK Affirms Commitment to Regulate Stablecoins Following Terra Meltdown Next articleTezos Foundation Launches Fund to Collect NFT Creations by African and Asian Artists Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a direct offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation or endorsement of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article. Read disclaimerShow comments More Popular NewsIn Case You Missed ItSEC Risks Violating Admin Procedure Act by Rejecting Spot Bitcoin ETFs, Says Grayscale
Grayscale Investments" CEO explains that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could potentially violate the Administrative Procedure Act by not approving a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). SEC Approving Spot Bitcoin ETF Is "a Matter of When and Not ... read more.Privacy-Centric Monero Plans for July Hard Fork, Plans Include Ring Signature, Bulletproof Upgrade FBI Issues Alert Concerning Malicious State-Sponsored North Korean Hackers Targeting Crypto Firms Survey: Adoption in Argentina Grows, With 12 out of 100 Adults Having Invested in Crypto Digital Ruble ‘Much Needed,’ Russia’s Central Bank Says, Won’t Delay Testing