Turkish amateur football clubs protest TFF fee hikes

Amateur football clubs in Turkey are protesting new fee structures announced by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for the 2026-2027 season. The disputes primarily center on significant increases in licensing, visa, and transfer costs.

In Istanbul, representatives from the Istanbul Amateur Sports Clubs Federation (ASKF) met to discuss the economic challenges posed by these regulations. Ali Düşmez, President of the Istanbul ASKF, criticized the TFF management's approach to amateur clubs and has requested a formal meeting with the federation to address their concerns.

Similarly, the Edirne Amateur Sports Clubs Federation expressed serious concerns regarding the sustainability of amateur sports. They highlighted that license fees for new and renewing players have risen from 150 TL to 500 TL, representing a 234% increase. The federation noted that this surge far exceeds the annual inflation rate and could impose massive financial burdens on clubs, which must process hundreds of licenses per season.