Ahmet Çakar

Ahmet Murat Çakar (born 3 August 1962) is a Turkish doctor, sportscaster, actor and a former football referee. According to IFFHS, he is one of the world's best referees of the quarter of a century. being described as "Turkey's most controversial football pundit". He also writes sports articles for Sabah newspaper. He is a medical doctor as well. Currently he is a commentator on the Turkish football television programme Beyaz Futbol, on Beyaz TV. According to IFFHS, he is one of the world's best referees of the quarter of a century.

Controversy

Attempted assassination On February 25, 2004, he was attacked in an attempted assassination with five bullets hitting him directly, however, he survived. He later commented on the matter saying that he knows nothing about who was behind it, but he believed he is extremely famous. He also stated that his near death experience strengthened his faith in Allah.

Bikini controversy In 2008 Çakar challenged Fenerbahçe on live TV. He stated that if Fenerbahçe qualifies for the Quarter-finals in the UEFA Champions League, he will wear a bikini. That year, Fenerbahçe qualified for the quarter-finals, and photoshopped images of Çakar in a bikini were shown in newspapers. Another swimsuit company, Zeki Triko, sent their most expensive swimsuit to Çakar for free, adding that it is "merely worthy of his excellence".

UEFA 2013 quarter-final draws controversy In March 2013, Çakar appeared on TV claiming that the draws for the quarter-finals of UEFA's club competitions had been fixed by those making the draw "carrying metal objects that sensed vibrations in the balls being selected."

Claims about aliens and Saddam Hussein In 2014, Çakar claimed in a football discussion that Saddam Hussein is secretly alive, and that aliens are real. Claiming that his knowledge about aliens is deeply rooted, he added that "the aliens changed their ways, they now disguise themselves as aliens. Maybe they want to help us. They are protecting Obama."

Albert Einstein controversy In 2015, he claimed on live TV that "Albert Einstein was a genius who changed the world. But in the end, he was a lowly human who treated his wife like a dog! People who are successful in public are often rotten in their private life."

Rap controversy In 2015, he controversially stated on live TV that "Rap is utter disgrace. Nobody can tell me rap is art. Rap is not art. Rap is buffoonery. Whoever raps or listens to rap probably had problems when they were little." He later targeted popular rapper Sagopa Kajmer and said "why would you name yourself "Sagopa Kajmer"? Proves that you are broken". This caused a spark of outrage, and multiple rappers demanded that he should apologise. Some celebrities supported him, stating that he was simply joking. Sinan Engin reacted by saying "good for you, free vitamins"

Football betting investigations

As part of the betting investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Çakar was taken into custody on December 5, 2025. During medical examinations, he responded to reporters' questions asking, "Why were you taken into custody?" with "I don't know." A detention order was also issued for his wife, Arzu Çakar, but it was determined that she was abroad. Ahmet Çakar, who suffered a heart spasm while in custody as part of the investigation, was transferred to Istanbul Training and Research Hospital and underwent an angiography procedure. On the same day, the detention order was lifted due to his health condition, and he was ordered to be transferred to the courthouse after completing his treatment.

Major matches refereed

Television career

Acting career

TV shows