Turkish Commentator Fired Mid-Match After Ziyech Goal Remark at World Cup

Alper Bakircigil pays dearly for his comment made just after the goal scored in the 4th minute of play by Hakim Ziyech. He informed viewers that Ziyech’s goal was not the fastest of the World Cup, and that Hakan Sukur holds the record for the fastest goal ever scored in a World Cup. A comment that apparently did not please the officials of the Turkish public broadcaster TRT. He will first be replaced during the first half before being fired.

"I was suspended from the TRT channel, where I have proudly worked for many years, after the event that took place today. Separation is included in love. I hope to see you again. Goodbye," Alper Bakircigil wrote on Twitter to announce his dismissal. A tweet that will later be deleted.

At the origin of this dismissal, the mention of Hakan Sukur’s name on Turkish television. A major star in Turkey during his career, Sukur scored 51 goals in 112 appearances. The former Inter Milan and Galatasaray striker scored the fastest goal in World Cup history, scoring just 11 seconds into the game in 2002. After his retirement, he entered politics. He will later be suspected of having links with terrorist groups. Accused of playing a key role in the failed coup attempt in Turkey in 2016, the former Turkish international and his family fled to the United States.