Commentator Alper Bakircigil suffered an elimination of his own after an on-air error in judgement resulted in him losing his job halfway through a match.
Turkish broadcaster Bakircigil was given his marching orders as he called a World Cup 2022 group fixture between Morocco and Canada. Hakim Ziyech opened the scoring for the Atlas Lions in less than four minutes, at which point Bakircigil made a reference to former Turkey attacker Hakan Sukur. Bakircigil was working for state broadcaster TRT at the time of his mention. He was taken off commentary duties at half-time during Morocco’s 2-1 win over Canada and fired later the same day, with reports naturally linking the two incidents.
The commentator‘s social media was also later taken down, though he was quoted at the time in one post explaining the situation, which read: “I was cut off from the TRT institution, where I worked proudly for many years, after the event that took place today. Separation is included in love. Hope to see you again. Goodbye.”
Sukur, 54, still holds the record for the fastest goal scored at a World Cup following his 11-second finish against co-host South Korea at the 2002 tournament. The Galatasaray icon also remains the Crescent Stars’ record scorer with 51 international goals and was once viewed as a national treasure.
However, the mere mention of his name has become a source of trepidation in Turkey. That’s after the independent politician played a role in the unsuccessful 2016 coup attempt to depose Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Sukur fled to the United States in 2015 and was later charged with being a member of the Gulen (or Hizmet) movement, which was designated a terrorist organisation. The former football favourite has worked as an Uber driver during his time stateside but also reportedly opened a football school for boys.
After seven-and-a-half years living in California, Sukur announced in April 2023 that he and his family had received their green cards. This allows them to legally work and live in the country indefinitely, though these can be revoked if the recipient breaks immigration laws.
Former Blackburn frontman Sukur has also claimed in the past that all his assets and property in Turkey had been seized by the government.
He previously maintained his innocence and told German newspaper Welt Am Sonntag: “I have nothing left. [Turkey president Recep Tayyip] Erdogan took everything. My right to freedom, my right to freedom of speech and my right to work. I never did anything illegal. I am not a traitor or a terrorist.”
Despite that defiance, Sukur’s name still carries a mixed reputation in his homeland. Once hailed as a superstar of his generation, the five-time Turkish Footballer of the Year is considered a taboo subject in public circles, especially on state television.
This year’s World Cup, meanwhile, is bubbling to its conclusion. The final takes place on Sunday at 8pm UK time.
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