In historic first, couple officiates at Turkish football game

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) – Love of football has brought together many a family, but a football game in Turkey’s capital has taken that shared love of sports to a new level.

In the Sunday match, for the first time in history, a married couple officiated at a Turkish football match.

Burak and Gamze Durmus Pakkan both served in the First League clash between Ankaragucu and Genclerbirligi, twin teams based in the capital Ankara.

Burak Pakkan refereed the match while his wife Gamze Durmus Pakkan served as fourth official in the Ankara derby at Eryaman Stadium.

Ankaragucu defeated their cross-city rivals Genclerbirligi 2-0 thanks to goals by Sinan Osmanoglu and Eren Derdiyok.

Whatever the game’s outcome, the shared endeavor ensured that neither Pakkan had to ask their spouse that evening over dinner, “So, honey, how was work today?”