Ahmet Murat Çakar (born 3 August 1962) is a Turkish doctor, sportscaster, actor and a former football referee. According to IFFHS, he is one of the world's best referees of the quarter of a century.[1] Described as "Turkey's most controversial football pundit",[2] he is famous for his bold claims and humorous manner, and is popular in Turkey both as a pundit and an internet meme.

Ahmet Çakar
Born (1962-08-03) 3 August 1962 (age 62)
Other namesAhmet Murat Çakar
Occupation(s)Medicine, football referee
Children2
Ahmet Çakar
Domestic
Years League Role
1990–1999 1. Lig Referee
International
Years League Role
1992–1999 FIFA-listed Referee

Biography

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He was born in Istanbul in August 3, 1962. He completed his high school education at Istanbul Erkek Lisesi in 1980. He then graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at Istanbul University.

He is famous for the abrasive but funny manner in which he presents the Show TV sports programme Altıpas,[3] being described as "Turkey's most controversial football pundit".[2] He also writes sports articles for Sabah newspaper.[4] He is a medical doctor as well. Currently he is a commentator on the Turkish football television programme Beyaz Futbol, on Beyaz TV. According to IFFHS, he is one of the world's best referees of the quarter of a century.[1]

Controversy

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Attempted assassination

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In February 25, 2004, he was attacked in an attempted assassination with five bullets hitting him directly, however, he survived.[5][6] He later commented on the matter saying that he knows nothing about who was behind it, but he believed he is extremely famous. He also stated that his near death experience strengthened his faith in Allah.[6][7]

Bikini controversy

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In 2008 Çakar challenged Fenerbahçe on live TV. He stated that if Fenerbahçe qualifies for the Quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League, he will wear a bikini.[8] That year, Fenerbahçe qualified for the quarter-finals, and photoshopped images of Çakar in a bikini were shown in newspapers.[8] A bikini company, sunset mayo, announced that they will be "more than happy to help Mr. Çakar keep his promise".[9] Another swimsuit company, Zeki Triko, sent their most expensive swimsuit to Çakar for free, adding that it is "merely worthy of his excellence".[9]

Çakar subsequently received hundreds of packages of gifts made up of swimwear. He later stated that "it was merely a joke, come on, gentlemen". He also stated that he liked and laughed at the jokes and images, but was scared of his wife's reaction.[8] In 2015, Fenerbahçe released a video making fun of Çakar and reminding him that he still hasn't kept his promise.[10]

UEFA 2013 quarter-final draws controversy

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In March 2013, Çakar appeared on TV claiming that the draws for the quarter-finals of UEFA's club competitions had been fixed by those making the draw "carrying metal objects that sensed vibrations in the balls being selected."[11]

Claims about aliens and Saddam Hussein

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In 2014, Çakar claimed in a football discussion that Saddam Hussein is secretly alive, and that aliens are real. Claiming that his knowledge about aliens is deeply rooted, he added that "the aliens changed their ways, they now disguise themselves as aliens. Maybe they want to help us. They are protecting Obama."[12]

Albert Einstein controversy

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In 2015, he claimed on live TV that "Albert Einstein was a genius who changed the world. But in the end, he was a lowly human who treated his wife like a dog! People who are successful in public are often rotten in their private life."[13]

Rap controversy

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In 2015, he controversially stated on live TV that "Rap is utter disgrace. Nobody can tell me rap is art. Rap is not art. Rap is buffoonery. Whoever raps or listens to rap probably had problems when they were little."[14][15] He later targeted popular rapper Sagopa Kajmer and said "why would you name yourself "Sagopa Kajmer"? Proves that you are broken".[16] This caused a spark of outrage, and multiple rappers demanded that he should apologise. Some celebrities supported him, stating that he was simply joking.[16] Çakar responded by saying "95 percent of you rappers are broken. 90-95 percent of you have severe psychological or physical trauma as a child. Your looks are broken. Most of you do not take showers, you are filthy. Some of you are drug addicts". These statements caused even more controversy.[14][15]

Fly eating controversy

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In May 2022, while commenting on a match between Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş in live TV, a horse fly was seen flying around the studio. As the program continued, Çakar remarked, "If that fly passes through my airspace, I'll do what I have to". The fly then approached Çakar, who grabbed the fly and ate it.[17][18][19][20][21][22] Sinan Engin reacted by saying "good for you, free vitamins"[17] while Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, who was also present, held his vomit and silently remarked "may Allah destroy you".[17] The event provoked criticism as well as support from the public and evolved into a scandal. When interviewed later, Çakar remarked "I am not easily disgusted. By God, I have eaten worse things, but the public is not ready for it."[22]

Glasses controversy

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In 2022, after Ertem Şener, the presenter, asked Çakar, "How are the glasses cleaned?", Çakar took off his glasses and started licking it. Everyone in the room questioned what he was doing, but he ignored the criticism. The glasses did not belong to Çakar.[23][24]

Major matches refereed

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Date Match Tournament Ref
6 March 1993 UruguayGhana (1-1) 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship [25]
11 March 1993 GermanyUruguay (1-2) 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship [26]
20 March 1993 GhanaBrazil (1-2) 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship Final [27]
7 April 1993 Beşiktaş J.K.Galatasaray S.K. (2-2) 1992-93 Turkish Cup Final [28]
4 May 1994 Beşiktaş J.K.Galatasaray S.K. (3-2) 1993-94 Turkish Cup Final [29]
1 March 1995 A.C. MilanBenfica (2-0) 1994–95 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals [30]
5 April 1995 Bayern MunichAjax Amsterdam (0-0) 1994–95 UEFA Champions League Semi-finals [31]
11 April 1996 Galatasaray S.K.Fenerbahçe S.K. (1-0) 1995–96 Turkish Cup Final [32]
18 June 1996 RomaniaSpain (1-2) UEFA Euro 1996 1. round [33]
19 March 1997 TrabzonsporKocaelispor (1-1) 1996–97 Turkish Cup Final [34]

Television career

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Acting career

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Movies
Year Movie Role
2009 Kanal-İ-Zasyon Himself
2009 No Ofsayt Himself
2016 Adam Mısın! Himself

TV shows

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TV
Year Programme Role
2001–2004, 2011 Telegol Himself
2007 Ahmet Çakar'la Şansa Bak Himself
2009 Ahmet Çakar'la Zor Karar Himself
2011– Beyaz/Derin Futbol Himself
2013 Söz Sende Himself
2013 Var Mısın Yok Musun Himself
2015 Dada Dandinista Himself
2016 Elin Oğlu Himself
2016 3 Adam Himself
2016 Renkli Sayfalar Himself

References

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  1. ^ a b "Index of /". 10 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b MacInnes, Paul (28 February 2004). "Rockers relieved as groovy Glovers prepare for slipped disc". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  3. ^ "Former referee likens chicanery in football to Ergenekon affair". Today's Zaman. 10 April 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  4. ^ "Çakar bikini giyecek mi?". Milliyet. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  5. ^ "Ahmet Çakar silahlı saldırıya uğradı". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 25 February 2004. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  6. ^ a b Sporx (2015-02-13). "Ahmet Çakar'ı kim vurdurttu? - Röportaj". Sporx (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  7. ^ Direkt Futbol - Ahmet Çakar - Vurulması Hakkında Konuşuyor
  8. ^ a b c Haber, Internet (2008-03-16). "Ahmet Çakar bikini beğenmiş". internethaber.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  9. ^ a b "Ahmet Çakar'a bikini yağıyor". www.hurriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 9 May 2017. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  10. ^ "Fenerbahçe'den Ahmet Çakar'a gönderme! Bikini..." Milliyet (in Turkish). 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  11. ^ "Ex-Turkish ref claims UCL draw rigged". ESPN FC. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  12. ^ "Ahmet Çakar: Uzaylılar İnsan Kılığında Dünyada Yaşıyor". Son Dakika (in Turkish). 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  13. ^ Ahmet Çakar - Einstein aşağılık bir adamdı, retrieved 2022-05-10
  14. ^ a b "Ahmet Çakar: Rap müzik soytarılıktır". Beyazgazete. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  15. ^ a b "Ahmet Çakar'dan Rapçileri Kızdıracak Açıklamalar: Rezillik, Soytarılık... -". Müzik Onair - Müzik Haber, Radyo ve Sosyal İçerik Platformu (in Turkish). 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  16. ^ a b "Ahmet Çakar bu kez rapçilere çattı! Sagopa Kajmer yanıt verdi - İZLE". Haberler, Komplolar, Komplo Teorileri (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  17. ^ a b c "Ahmet Çakar canlı yayında sinek yedi". Ensonhaber (in Turkish). 9 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  18. ^ "Ahmet Çakar, canlı yayında sinek yedi". www.cumhuriyet.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  19. ^ "Ahmet Çakar canlı yayında sinek yedi". Son Dakika (in Turkish). 2022-05-09. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  20. ^ "Ahmet Çakar, canlı yayında sinek yedi". T24 (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  21. ^ "Ahmet Çakar Canlı Yayında Sinek Yedi: İşte Geceye Damga Vuran Görüntüler - TGRT Haber". Tgrt (in Turkish). 9 May 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
  22. ^ a b odatv4.com (10 May 2022). "Ahmet Çakar ilk kez Odatv'ye anlattı... Sineği nasıl yedim". www.odatv4.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ "Ahmet Çakar'ın gözlüklerini silme şekli tartışma yarattı". Ensonhaber (in Turkish). 13 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  24. ^ "Ahmet Çakar'ın gözlüğü yalayarak temizlediği anlar sosyal medyada gündem oldu". T24 (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  25. ^ "FIFA World Youth Championship Australia 1993™: Uruguay - Ghana". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  26. ^ "FIFA World Youth Championship Australia 1993™: Germany - Uruguay". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  27. ^ "World Youth Cup (U-20) 1993 (Australia, March 5-20)". Rsssf.
  28. ^ "BEŞİKTAŞ GALATASARAY - Maç Detayları TFF". www.tff.org. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  29. ^ "BEŞİKTAŞ GALATASARAY - Maç Detayları TFF". www.tff.org. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  30. ^ "AC Milan and SL Benfica: past meetings". A.C. Milan. Retrieved 8 January 2010. [dead link]
  31. ^ "Türk hakemliğinde 31 Mart vak'ası!". Zaman. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
  32. ^ "GALATASARAY FENERBAHÇE - Maç Detayları TFF". www.tff.org. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  33. ^ "Referees for Euro Soccer Championship Fixtures". Xinhua News Agency. 25 March 1996. Retrieved 8 January 2010.[dead link]
  34. ^ "TRABZONSPOR KOCAELİSPOR - Maç Detayları TFF". www.tff.org. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
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