Commentary on technology in football by Fırat Aydınus

Fırat Aydınus, a former international football referee and commentator who participated in the career talks organized in Sakarya, commented on the role of technology in football, stating, “If we integrate technology to this extent, at some point referees and players will have cameras attached to them, drones, and sensors on their jerseys. In 20 years, artificial intelligence will take over football and we will have unmanned football games.”

In the first part of the career talks focused on the values of Sakarya, special guests included two-time world champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, coach and former national football player Tuncay Şanlı, presenter Merve Toy, journalist and sports commentator Şansal Büyüka, and former international football referee and commentator Fırat Aydınus, who came together with students and citizens at the university. The talk took place at the Nevzat Kor Hall of the Turgut Özel Cultural and Congress Center at the university, hosted by Merve Toy. After a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, the program began, during which participants shared their success stories and pivotal moments in their lives. The interactive discussion continued with participants answering questions from the audience.

“I have never believed that there is a time for work in my life.”

Şansal Büyüka, who offered advice to the youth, said, “Whatever job you do, try to do it the best you can and never give up. When you do an easy job, you become ordinary; when you take on a difficult job, you become extraordinary, you get noticed and stand out. I have never believed that there is a time for work in my life. Especially at a young age, you need to run even more. When strength and logic are in place, and mind is working well, you need to give them their due.”

“The bike I race with is not the best bike.”

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, a two-time world champion, explained the motivation processes he experienced during races, stating, “We came to the conclusion to continue with BMW, and there were many news articles saying, ‘You will end your career, you will not become a champion, you are risking your career with a bike that cannot make you a champion.’ This actually stressed us out, and on the other hand, I started the season with a different mindset and mentality. I signed up for something that no one believed in or trusted us, and it was a team that had no previous success until now. We needed to show something to people or that world. Some drive very well, some race very well, but when the mind is not in the right place, everything is completely empty; I saw that this year. The bike I race with is not the best bike, but I prepared myself psychologically so well that I reached different levels with that bike. We achieved an unexpected world championship. We actually made a global impact, but it is not appreciated much in our country because football takes precedence. The moment my career changed was when I won first place at the world championship in 2019. I got this in France, starting from 17th place and finishing in first place, which actually secured my agreement with Yamaha, and I also became the world champion in 2021.”

“Instead of moving forward, we have gone back 15 years; we have lost our football culture.”

After discussing career planning, coach Tuncay Şanlı talked about football being a game and a chain of mistakes, saying, “I never had any problems with referees while I was playing; yes, I received a red card, but that was in a match played without an audience and unconsciously. I have never talked about referees, nor do I want to. Our goal should be; where can we take the country’s football? What could be better? Instead of moving forward, we have gone back 15 years in football. We always talk about referees, but we never help referees; we couldn’t, so when we talk about this problem, it goes nowhere. The referee may have made a mistake; there may be malice, but I do not know that; I look at my game. Does the game give us joy? Unfortunately, it doesn’t; we have lost our football culture, and I think we need to regain it.”

“In 20 years, artificial intelligence will take over football and we will have unmanned football games.”

Speaking about the ‘VAR’ system and the merger of technology with football, former international football referee and commentator Fırat Aydınus said, “Even when I was a referee, I was not a supporter of ‘VAR.’ Because according to the rules, the referee’s discretion will punish if certain actions occur, I am talking about 10 flawed actions. Therefore, in situations open to interpretation, even among 47 referees, different interpretations arise. At that time, there is no way to find the absolute truth, and football is an open-to-interpretation game. It is a game with written rules that are interpreted. ‘VAR’ only determines whether the ball has entered the goal or not, whether it is inside or outside the penalty area, or whether it is an offside position; apart from that, positions may vary for everyone. If we integrate technology to this extent, at some point referees and players will have cameras attached to them, drones, and sensors on their jerseys. In 20 years, artificial intelligence will take over football and we will have unmanned football games. Football is a game of mistakes; its enjoyment comes from watching and showing these mistakes. That is why I am in favor of using ‘VAR’ and technology, but I am against their excessive penetration into football; technology is something that is progressing.”