Turkish female referee, 24, and officials chief, 61, ‘banned for sex scandal’ – as she claims video allegedly proving affair is actually AI

A female referee has denied featuring in a sex tape with an official nearly three times her age after the pair were sanctioned by the Turkish Football Federation.

Elif Karaarslan, 24, and Super League referee inspector Orhan Erdemir, 61, were hit with suspensions on October 4.

The Turkish Football Federation arbitration board confirmed their appeals had been rejected with Karaarslan hit with a 90-day suspension from football-related activities.

Erdemir was handed a 45-day suspension.

The sanctions are reported to follow alleged emergence of a sex tape claimed to be featuring the pair, according to The Sun.

Referee Elif Karaarslan, 24, has been hit with a 90-day ban by the Turkish Football Federation 

Karaarslan has denied featuring in an alleged sex tape which is claimed to have led to her ban

Referee observer Orhan Erdemir, 61, reportedly also featured in the alleged video 

‘I will have a long road ahead legally, but will overcome in the strongest and most robust way,’ Karaarslan said, as reported by The Sun.

‘I look forward to your full support and love in this process.

‘Crying, screaming and being sad are not things I would do. That is not me.

‘I will stand by my cause until the end. I am just one of many who are being harmed – I hope I am the last.’

A lawyer representing Karaarslan issued a statement on social media which alleged the video had been generated using AI.

‘A montaged video was published on social media, which was not the original and was created entirely through artificial intelligence from someone else’s social media account and has no relation to the client in any way,’ the statement read.

‘When the video is examined, it is very clear that the image is not clear and that the parties to the relationship were completely edited by computer.

‘Taking into consideration this montage video, which was created with malicious and deliberate intentions, of a video belonging to completely other people, for material and moral gain, will leave everyone facing a similar situation tomorrow. 

‘The false images published on social media and websites claiming to belong to my client Elif KARAARSLAN and the allegations regarding the ongoing trial process are completely contrary to the truth.

A lawyer representing Karaarslan has claimed the video was generated using AI

‘Accounts that have been found to be making false news and sharing insulting content about our client in order to gain interaction on social media accounts have been identified, and we would like to inform the public that all necessary actions will be taken to initiate the legal process against these individuals.’

Erdemir, who was a Fifa referee between 1999 and 2002, has claimed his reputation has been ruined as a consequence of the case.

‘My career as a referee and observer, which I have proudly maintained for over 30 years without a single stain, has been turned upside down because the relevant person shared the information,’ Erdemir said, as quoted by the Sun.

‘My reputation in the eyes of my family, circle of friends, and the refereeing community has been destroyed.’