Super Lig referee assigned to amateur league

A match between Kayserispor and Batman Petrolspor was marked by a penalty decision that sparked controversy. After a Batman Petrolspor player's challenge on Florent Hasani, referee Asen Albayrak was called to the pitch for a VAR review. The penalty decision, given at the end of a review lasting about 5 minutes, led to different interpretations among football fans.

Former referees also weighed in on the decision. Some argued that the challenge should not have been awarded as a penalty, while others said the referee's decision was correct within the rules. The disagreement between opinions shows how open to interpretation the incident was.

Following the match, it emerged that the Central Referee Committee had assigned Asen Albayrak to a match in the Ankara Super Amateur League. Some circles interpreted the assignment of a referee who officiates in the Super Lig and the 1st League to a lower-tier match as a rest or a punishment after the disputed penalty decision.

Former referee Deniz Ateş Bitnel, however, said in a statement on his social media account that this assignment is not a punishment. Bitnel recalled that he himself had also officiated amateur matches by choice during weeks without professional matches. In his view, Albayrak's appearance in this match may also be his own choice.