August 19 – Ukrainian club Kryvbas has appealed to UEFA to replace a Turkish referee delegated for their Conference League playoff against Real Betis this Thursday.
The game, being played in Slovakia since Ukrainian home games are currently played on neutral turf, is being officiated by Arda Kardesler (pictured) who Kryvbas claim is an inappropriate appointment since he previously took charge of a fixture in Russia.
“We learned that this referee served a friendly match between Russia and Serbia on March 21, 2024, in Moscow, Russia,” Kryvbas said in a statement on its website.
“Because of this, we consider it unacceptable to involve Arda Kardesler in the service of a match involving a Ukrainian football club.”
The club claim Kardesler’s appointment discredits the town of Kryvyi Rih, where the club is based, in the eyes of the fans.
“Among the fans there are many military men who are now defending our country from Russian attacks, as well as the whole of Ukraine, which is suffering from Russian military aggression,” Kryvbas noted.
“Kryvbas has informed the Ukrainian Football Association and the UAF Referees Committee about the situation. We believe that common sense will prevail.”
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