Lawyer Of Turkish Referee Banned For Alleged Sex Scandal Claims Video Was Made Using AI

A Turkish referee scandal has seen a female referee and male officials chief sanctioned by the Turkish Football Federation after an alleged sex tape emerged.

Referee Elif Karaarslan, 24, has denied featuring in the tape with 61-year-old Super League referee inspector Orhan Erdemir, with Karaarslan’s lawyer claiming the video was made using AI.

Both were suspended on 4 October after the alleged tape emerged. Karaarslan has been banned for 90 days while Erdemir was given a 45-day suspension from all football activities.

The Turkish Football Federation arbitration board rejected an appeal against the bans, as reported in The Sun.

But now lawyers for the young female referee have claimed the video allegedly proving the incident with an official almost treble her age was AI-generated.

🚨 TURKISH FEMALE REFEREE, 24, AND OFFICIALS CHIEF, 61, HAVE BEEN BANNED FOR AN ALLEGED SEX SCANDAL.

The referee claims that a video purportedly proving their affair is actually the result of AI manipulation. #TurkishFootball #RefereeScandal #AIScandal pic.twitter.com/HmZma0PMEy

— João Neves (@jon_snow_pt) October 9, 2024

Turkish Referee Scandal Lawyer Argues AI Manipulation

Elif Karaarslan’s lawyer issued a statement online claiming there had been AI involvement in the video which emerged.

The statement said: “A montaged video was published on social media, which was not the original and was created entirely through artificial intelligence from someone else’s social media account and has no relation to the client in any way.

“When the video is examined, it is very clear that the image is not clear and that the parties to the relationship were completely edited by computer.

“Taking into consideration this montage video, which was created with malicious and deliberate intentions, of a video belonging to completely other people, for material and moral gain, will leave everyone facing a similar situation tomorrow.

“The false images published on social media and websites claiming to belong to my client Elif Karaarslan and the allegations regarding the ongoing trial process are completely contrary to the truth.

“Accounts that have been found to be making false news and sharing insulting content about our client in order to gain interaction on social media accounts have been identified, and we would like to inform the public that all necessary actions will be taken to initiate the legal process against these individuals.”

Pair Involved In Alleged Affair Speak Out

Karaarslan was defiant in her response to the allegations.

As quoted in The Sun, she said: “I will have a long road ahead legally, but will overcome in the strongest and most robust way.

“I look forward to your full support and love in this process.

“Crying, screaming and being sad are not things I would do. That is not me.

“I will stand by my cause until the end. I am just one of many who are being harmed – I hope I am the last.”

Meanwhile, Orhan Erdemir lamented the damage to his reputation caused by this alleged scandal.

The former FIFA referee said: “My career as a referee and observer, which I have proudly maintained for over 30 years without a single stain, has been turned upside down because the relevant person shared the information.

“My reputation in the eyes of my family, circle of friends, and the refereeing community has been destroyed.”