TURKEY – Halil Ibrahim Dinçdag˘, 35, who was forced by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to leave his position as a professional soccer referee, has said he will continue with his legal battle against the TFF.
Dinçdag˘ was barred from officiating matches in 2008 after his medical report showed that he had been excused from compulsory military service on account of his homosexuality. Turkish football regulations state that anyone who fails to complete their military service for health reasons is deemed unfit to work as a referee.
Dinçdag˘, who is Turkey’s first openly gay football referee, filed a criminal complaint against the TFF and sought up to 100,000 Turkish Liras in damages.
The Anatolia News Agency reported Dinçdag˘ as saying, “I have suffered much damage, both psychologically and financially, after my sexual orientation was leaked to the press by the TFF. My life changed dramatically.
“First, I was forced to quit refereeing, which I love most. I also had to quit my job as a speaker at a radio station, which I [had been] doing for 16 years. I have been unemployed for a long time and it hurt my soul very much. I even have trouble paying for the expenses of this tribunal.
“Everybody knows that there are many gay referees in European football. It is sad to see it in Turkey while it is normal in the world. I believe I am right and we will see it at the end of this case. But if the decision is made against me, I will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.
“They thought I was an ant that they could crush, they thought I would run away and hide in a corner.”
A second hearing is due to take place in May.
