A controversial penalty decision in a Kayserispor match has led to a change in the referee's assignment. The Turkish Referee Committee has appointed FIFA-badge referee Asen Albayrak to an Ankara Super Amateur League match this weekend.
Albayrak awarded a penalty in favour of the home team during Kayserispor's 2-2 draw with Batman Petrolspor in the 11th week of the Trendyol 1. Lig. After the incident, Albayrak checked the pitchside monitor following a VAR review but chose not to overturn her original decision. This call provoked a strong reaction from the visiting team.
NEW ASSIGNMENT REVEALED
The referee's new assignment was revealed when the committee published its weekly appointments. The 29-year-old official will not be in charge of a Süper Lig or 1. Lig match, but will instead referee the amateur league clash between Mamak Belediyespor and Anadolubeyispor. This move has been interpreted within refereeing circles as a punitive measure. Albayrak made history in March 2026 by officiating the Göztepe vs. Alanyaspor match, becoming the first woman to referee a Süper Lig game in 22 years.
For Kayserispor, this draw extended their winless run to five league matches. The team is positioned in the middle of the league standings. Manager Burak Yılmaz's side is searching for a result to please fans, who can check the latest squad news ahead of their next fixture. After finishing higher up the table last season, Kayserispor's first half of this campaign has been about finding consistency. The team's defensive line has come under scrutiny again after conceding in recent matches. This weekend's referee decision and its aftermath have overshadowed the footballing aspects of the game. The Referee Committee will announce its appointments for the following week on Thursday.
