World Cup Commentator Sacked for Mentioning ‘Forbidden Name’: The Hakan Sukur Incident
In a shocking turn of events during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a seasoned football commentator was abruptly dismissed from his position mid-broadcast. Turkish commentator Alper Bakircigil, working for national broadcaster TRT, was calling the Morocco vs. Canada group stage match when an innocuous on-air mention led to his immediate sacking.
The match, which saw Morocco secure a 2-1 victory and top their challenging Group F featuring football powerhouses Belgium and Croatia, should have been the focus. Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri propelled the Atlas Lions to victory, setting them on their remarkable journey to the World Cup semi-finals.
However, during his commentary, Bakircigil referenced a celebrated, yet now controversial, figure in Turkish football history – Hakan Sukur. He brought up Sukur in the context of the fastest goal ever scored in a World Cup, a record held by Sukur since his 11th-second strike against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup.
Hakan Sukur is a legend in Turkish football, boasting an impressive record of 51 goals in 112 appearances for Turkey, making him their all-time leading scorer. Despite his stellar sporting achievements, mentioning Sukur’s name proved to be a career-ending mistake for Bakircigil.
The seemingly simple act of mentioning this “forbidden name” resulted in Bakircigil being removed from his commentary duties at half-time. Taking to Twitter, the commentator expressed his sudden dismissal in a poignant message: “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..”
From Football Icon to Political Exile: Why Hakan Sukur is a ‘Forbidden Name’
Hakan Sukur’s illustrious footballing career saw him play for prominent clubs like Galatasaray, Blackburn Rovers, and Inter Milan. After retiring from professional football, he ventured into politics. However, his life took a drastic turn when he became linked to political controversy and accusations of terrorism.
Sukur faced accusations of involvement in a failed coup attempt against the Turkish government in 2016, allegations he vehemently denies. Facing these serious charges and fearing for his safety, Sukur and his family fled to the United States. In the aftermath, the Turkish government took steps to erase his legacy, even revoking his career honors in 2017.
Life in exile has been challenging for the former football star. Settling in the United States with green cards, Sukur initially owned a cafe and later worked as an Uber driver to make ends meet. He also channeled his passion for football by establishing a football school in California for young boys. Despite building a new life, the shadow of his past and the accusations against him remain.
In an interview with German news outlet Welt Am Sonntag, Sukur spoke out about his ordeal, stating, “I have nothing left. Erdogan [President of Turkey] 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.”
The extent to which Sukur has been removed from Turkish football history is stark. Even in Galatasaray’s own museum, his contributions are being erased. Notably, footage of their UEFA Cup final victory against Arsenal, where Sukur scored a crucial penalty, has been edited to remove his penalty kick, as reported by The Athletic.
- Key Events:
- 2002 World Cup: Hakan Sukur scores the fastest World Cup goal.
- Post-Retirement: Sukur enters politics.
- 2016: Accusations of involvement in coup attempt, Sukur flees to the USA.
- 2017: Turkish government revokes Sukur’s career honors.
- 2022 World Cup: Commentator Alper Bakircigil sacked for mentioning Sukur’s name.
- Hakan Sukur – Football Achievements:
- Turkish National Team Record Goalscorer (51 goals).
- Fastest Goal in World Cup History (11 seconds).
- Played for Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers.
- Consequences for Alper Bakircigil:
- Sacked at half-time during World Cup broadcast.
- Lost his job at TRT after many years of service.
- Became a victim of political censorship in sports broadcasting.
This incident highlights the sensitive political climate in Turkey and the far-reaching consequences of being associated with figures deemed unfavorable by the government. It also underscores the limitations on freedom of expression, even in sports commentary. The sacking of Alper Bakircigil serves as a stark reminder of the power of political narratives and their impact on individual lives and careers.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Share your opinions in the comments below. Let’s discuss the intersection of sports, politics, and freedom of speech.