Dozens of gamers from Türkiye’s decrease leagues donned black and gathered outdoors the Turkish Football Federation’s (TFF) headquarters Tuesday, protesting a controversial rule that limits the variety of gamers over age 24 in third-tier squads.
The protest, held on the TFF’s Hasan Doğan National Training Center in Riva, was spearheaded by the Turkish Professional Footballers Association (TPFD), with its president, Saffet Akyüz, main a delegation into talks with federation officers – together with TFF President and former Trabzonspor Chair Mehmet Büyükekşi, and government board member Mecnun Otyakmaz.
At the guts of the dispute is a newly carried out TFF regulation proscribing third League golf equipment to a most of 5 gamers born on or earlier than Dec. 31, 2000 – successfully squeezing out seasoned gamers from already struggling squads.
Akyüz, talking after the closed-door assembly, criticized the federation for imposing a choice that impacts each golf equipment and gamers with out prior session with stakeholders.
“We came here because we weren’t involved,” he stated. “We told them it’s not about age – it’s about performance. The best players should play.”
While the gamers’ delegation argued for a revision, Akyüz stated the TFF remained unmoved.
“The federation thinks the rule is necessary to solve club-level problems,” he added. “But we believe the real issue lies in broken club structures – not the players.”
Should the talks collapse, the TPFD says it is going to escalate the matter.
“If no positive outcome comes, we’ll file with the Arbitration Board,” Akyüz warned. “And if needed, we’ll take this fight to every possible platform. From now on, we’ll move with the collective strength of footballers.”
He additionally revealed plans to fulfill with 2nd and third League membership presidents to push for a rollback of the coverage, stressing that federations and their selections “are not permanent.”
Veteran defender Sezer Özmen, who joined the protest, likened the coverage to taking bread from their tables.
“We’re here to mourn – in black – to show that our careers, our livelihoods, are being stolen overnight,” Özmen stated. “This isn’t just about us. This is about fairness and survival.”
Yasin Palaz, one other skilled lower-league participant, described the federation’s response as “rigid,” however expressed hope that leaders with soccer backgrounds – together with the federation chief and even President Erdoğan – would hearken to motive.
“We believe they’ll understand the injustice,” stated Palaz. “Young players deserve chances, but not at the cost of casting aside veterans who still have plenty to offer.”
While the TFF insists the choice will assist golf equipment develop younger expertise amid monetary constraints, gamers argue that actual growth begins with steady golf equipment – not synthetic quotas.
“How many clubs have proper academies, kitchens or clean financial records?” Akyüz added. “Fix that first, and players will follow suit.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com