The Turkish Football Association has issued a lifetime ban to referee Elif Karaarslan following allegations involving an inappropriate relationship with 61-year-old referee observer Orhan Erdemir.
The decision comes after the federation reportedly viewed a controversial video that allegedly shows Karaarslan and Erdemir in a compromising situation. The Turkish Football Federation responded swiftly, suspending both officials after the explicit clip surfaced online.
According to reports from The Sun UK, Karaarslan, 24, has been banned after appearing in what is described as an X-rated video with Erdemir, who is nearly three times her age. However, Karaarslan has adamantly denied the claims, asserting that she is not the individual depicted in the video. She has also suggested that the footage may have been generated using artificial intelligence.
Karaarslan is preparing to take legal action to defend her reputation. "I will have a long road ahead of me legally, but I will overcome it. I will defend my cause until the end,” she stated.
Before becoming a referee, Karaarslan enjoyed a career as a professional football player, including a stint with Besiktas, one of Turkey's premier football clubs. Her passion for the game led her to transition into refereeing, where she had been making significant progress in the Turkish football landscape.
In addition to her officiating career, Karaarslan has garnered a substantial online following, amassing over 382,000 Instagram followers who support her professional endeavors and love for the sport.