World Cup commentator suspended for rest of tournament after mixing up Iran and New Zealand on air | Football News
An experienced football commentator with more than three decades in broadcasting has been removed from World Cup duties for the remainder of the tournament after repeatedly confusing Iran and New Zealand during their Group G match, prompting Turkish state broadcaster TRT to launch an investigation and issue a public apology.Murat Ekrem Çimen, a veteran commentator who has covered football and basketball since the late 1990s, was taken off the broadcaster’s World Cup roster after a series of mistakes during Iran’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand at SoFi Stadium. The error quickly spread across social media and ultimately led TRT to suspend him from all tournament coverage in the United States.
Four minutes of confusion lead to immediate action
The incident occurred during the opening stages of the Group G encounter between Iran and New Zealand. According to reports, Çimen repeatedly confused the two teams for approximately four minutes, referring to Iran when New Zealand were in possession and describing New Zealand’s attacks as if they belonged to Iran.Clips of the mistakes rapidly circulated online, drawing criticism from viewers and football fans. TRT responded later with a strongly worded statement, describing the error as incompatible with the broadcaster’s standards.“The error made during the commentary of the Iran-New Zealand match played this morning at 04:00 Turkish time in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is unacceptable according to TRT broadcasting standards,” the broadcaster said.“We apologize to our viewers and the public for this error.”TRT added that it had immediately launched both administrative and investigative processes following the incident.“TRT Spor’s long-standing broadcasting experience, expertise, and commitment to quality are incompatible with this error, and the necessary administrative and investigative processes have been immediately initiated.”The broadcaster confirmed that Çimen had been removed from the World Cup team in the United States while the investigation continues.“The commentator in question has been withdrawn from the World Cup broadcast team in the USA as part of the investigation and will not continue to participate in tournament broadcasts.”The statement concluded by stressing the broadcaster’s disappointment over the mistake.“It is unacceptable for TRT that someone with over 30 years of experience in sports broadcasting would make such a mistake.”“TRT does not condone any practices that violate broadcasting standards in national and international events reaching millions of viewers.”
Veteran commentator finds support amid backlash
Çimen is one of Turkey’s most experienced sports broadcasters, having begun his career in 1997 and covering both football and basketball at domestic and international level.However, the fallout from the incident extended beyond the broadcaster’s decision. Turkish media reported that following the backlash, Çimen’s social media accounts were affected and his page on X disappeared.The reaction prompted support from fellow commentator Ertem Şener of Beyaz TV, who criticised the personal abuse directed at his colleague.“My colleague made a mistake, yes, but the utterly outrageous personal insults directed at him are deeply upsetting to me,” Şener said.“He has a family! Murat didn’t commit a shameful crime; he made a professional error, and he didn’t do it alone.”He added: “This profession is far too honorable to be fodder for the hyenas on social media.”The incident has become one of the most discussed broadcasting stories of the tournament so far, particularly because of Çimen’s extensive experience and TRT’s swift response.
Another high-profile World Cup broadcasting controversy for TRT
The controversy has also revived memories of another widely discussed World Cup broadcasting incident involving Turkish television during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.During Morocco’s 2-1 victory over Canada, commentator Alper Bakırcıgil was removed from the broadcast after mentioning former Turkey striker Hakan Şükür.Şükür remains Turkey’s all-time leading goalscorer and holds the record for the fastest goal in World Cup history after scoring just 11 seconds into a match against South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.Following his playing career with clubs including Galatasaray, Blackburn Rovers and Inter Milan, Şükür entered politics and later became embroiled in a dispute with the Turkish government. He moved to the United States before being accused of involvement in the failed coup attempt of 2016, allegations he has consistently denied.Bakırcıgil later suggested that mentioning Şükür’s name had cost him his position. Confirming his departure at the time, he wrote: “I was cut off from the TRT institution, where I worked proudly for many years, after the event that took place today. Separation is included in love. Hope to see you again. Goodbye.”
