A Turkish TV commentator was selected at half-time during the World Cup match between Morocco and Canada.
the reason?
He mentioned the name Hakan Shukur.
Hakan Şukur is one of Turkey’s greatest athletes of all time. In 2002, he led the national team to a surprising bronze medal at the World Cup, and the former star scored a total of 51 goals in 112 international matches between 1992 and 2007.
Nowadays, Hakan Shukur’s name is controversial.
The former star is accused of having links to the network of preacher Fethullah Gulen, who the government says was behind the 2016 coup attempt, and now lives in exile in the United States.
Commentator removed
In connection with Thursday’s World Cup match between Canada and Morocco, Hakan Şukur’s name was mentioned in the broadcast made by the state-owned radio and television channel TRT.
It was commentator Albert Bakirsigil who reminded viewers – after Morocco scored in the fourth minute – that Hakan Şukur still holds the record for scoring the fastest ever World Cup goal (11 seconds, against South Korea in 2002).
Bakkersigel was then selected at half-time, Per John reports.
You were not fired
Alber Bakirchigel was replaced by another commentator in the second half, and news of his dismissal was reported immediately, but the TV channel in question denied this, saying instead that they had agreed to a “warning”.
Hakan Shakur commented on it himself Twitter He expressed support for the commentator.