TFF denies claims that national team players are ignoring Sergen Yalçın's calls

Journalist Sercan Hamzaoğlu claimed on his YouTube live broadcast that two or three players who regularly play for the national team are not answering Sergen Yalçın's phone calls. He said the communication crisis stems from harsh remarks Yalçın made about those players during his time as a commentator.

Hamzaoğlu quoted one player as telling Yalçın that even if he were the coach, he would not look at his phone and that the player was as good as nonexistent to him. Another player reportedly said a person who criticized him harshly on television cannot be his national team coach.

“Many national team players are holding a grudge against Sergen Yalçın right now and are not answering their phones.”

The journalist added that many national team players are holding a grudge against Yalçın and plan to attend training while keeping their distance from the coach. He said some players intend to go to the national team and train without looking Yalçın in the face.

The Turkish Football Federation issued a statement through its official social media accounts rejecting the reports. The federation said the claims that some national footballers are having difficulty communicating with Sergen Yalçın do not reflect reality and are groundless, malicious speculation.

TFF emphasized that no such situation exists between the technical staff and the players. It stated that all national footballers are very satisfied with their meetings and exchanges of ideas with Sergen Yalçın and his technical team.

The federation linked its statement to the 103rd anniversary of the Republic of Turkey and urged the public not to give credence to harmful rhetoric targeting the unity and solidarity of the national team.