Istanbul, Turkey – Galatasaray MCT Technic has issued a strong call for the resignation of Recep Ankaralı, Chairman of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) Referee Committee, following a 93-90 defeat to Türk Telekom in Week 21 of the Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi on Thursday, March 7, 2026. The demand comes after a game marred by ejections and escalating tensions, and isn’t the first time the club has publicly criticized Ankaralı’s leadership.
Galatasaray Demands Ankaralı’s Departure
The Istanbul-based club, now with a 9-9 record in league play, publicly demanded Ankaralı step down immediately after the loss to Türk Telekom. This isn’t an isolated incident. Galatasaray previously voiced concerns about Ankaralı’s ability to effectively lead the referee committee following a match against Fenerbahçe in Week 19. The club believes Ankaralı is unable to fairly oversee officiating in the league.
Recep Ankaralı İstifa! pic.twitter.com/NW1w24uPWS
— Galatasaray MCT Technic (@GSBasketbol) March 7, 2026
Galatasaray’s frustration appears to have reached a boiling point during Thursday’s game, which saw both Head Coach Gianmarco Pozzecco and player James Palmer ejected. The ejections, combined with the final result, prompted the club to take its criticism directly to social media, issuing the call for Ankaralı’s resignation via its official Twitter account.
The loss to Türk Telekom marked Galatasaray’s ninth defeat of the season, while Türk Telekom secured its 13th win. The game was closely contested, highlighting the importance of every call made by the officiating crew. For Galatasaray, the defeat adds to a growing sense of unease regarding the fairness of officiating in the league, fueling their public campaign against Ankaralı.
The timing of Galatasaray’s renewed criticism is significant. The Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi is entering a crucial phase of the season as teams jockey for playoff positioning. Accusations of biased officiating can have a significant impact on team morale and the integrity of the competition. It’s a situation the TBF will need to address swiftly to maintain confidence in the league.
This isn’t simply a dispute over a single game. Galatasaray’s repeated public statements suggest a deeper systemic concern about the management of referees and the overall quality of officiating in Turkish basketball. The club’s willingness to publicly challenge the head of the referee committee is a rare and significant move, signaling a growing dissatisfaction within one of the league’s most prominent teams.
The Turkish Basketball Federation has not yet responded to Galatasaray’s demand for Ankaralı’s resignation as of this writing. It remains to be seen whether the club’s public pressure will lead to any changes within the TBF’s refereeing structure. The situation is developing, and further statements from both Galatasaray and the TBF are expected in the coming days.
Galatasaray will look to rebound from this defeat when they face [Opponent and Date – *to be confirmed*] in their next league match. The team will undoubtedly be hoping for a more favorable officiating outcome in their upcoming games as they continue their pursuit of a playoff berth.
Fans can stay updated on Galatasaray’s progress and any further developments regarding this situation by following the club’s official social media channels and checking the official TBF website for updates.
