Turkish Referee Elif Karaarslan and Orhan Erdemir Video Viral on Social Media
Turkish referee Elif Karaarslan and referee observer Orhan Erdemir have faced significant controversy following the online circulation of an alleged explicit video involving them. The video quickly gained traction on social media, leading to a rapid investigation by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). Both Karaarslan, 24, and Erdemir, 61, firmly deny involvement, claiming that the video is a manipulated product made with artificial intelligence (AI).
Karaarslan's legal team is pursuing legal action to defend her reputation, arguing that the video was a malicious AI-generated montage aimed at damaging her career.
The TFF acted swiftly, suspending both Karaarslan and Erdemir pending the investigation and subsequently issuing a permanent ban on both from officiating in Turkish football. This decision has sparked debates regarding ethics and privacy in the digital age, with some experts cautioning about the risks of digital manipulation technology in such cases.
The scandal has been widely covered, especially by international media, and has sparked conversations about AI's misuse and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in sports administration.
