In a shocking turn of events, Turkish referee Elif Karaarslan, 24, has found herself at the centre of a scandal following the leak of a private video involving herself and FIFA inspector Orhan Erdemir, aged 61.
The video, which took social media by storm, prompted the Turkish Football Federation to take immediate action, suspending both individuals from their officiating roles.
Karaarslan, who has made her mark in Turkey’s lower league circuits, began her journey in the world of football at Libadi Sports Club before moving on to play for Bakirkiyi Gençlikspor and the prestigious Beşiktaş.
Unfortunately, her playing career was cut short by a devastating injury.
At just 16 years old, while representing Beşiktaş, she sustained a serious torn anterior cruciate ligament, forcing her to reassess her future in the sport.
Inspired by the achievements of a foreign female referee she admired on social media, Elif decided to transition to officiating.
To lay the groundwork for this new path, she pursued a degree at the Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University of Marmara, ensuring she was well-prepared for her role in football.
Notably, she stepped into the refereeing arena on February 29, 2020, officiating her first match as a second referee.
Her distinctive style and striking appearance quickly captured attention, allowing her to amass an impressive following on social media.
As of the latest update, she boasts over 358,000 followers on Instagram, reflecting her rising profile in the sport.
