Cüneyt Çakır signs long-term deal with Russian Football Union

The Russian Football Union has signed a long-term contract with former FIFA referee Cüneyt Çakır. During the initial transition year, Çakır will play a leading role in the training and restructuring of the Russian refereeing system.

Çakır stated that his primary focus will be the education and development of referees, ensuring that training is conducted consistently from the highest levels down to academy referees through a centralized system. He intends to apply the experience gained in Georgia, where he helped establish an academy that produced referees for international competitions, including the Champions League.

Regarding his long-term vision, Çakır emphasized that the goal is not merely to address immediate needs but to shape the future of Russian refereeing through stability and long-term planning.