TFF's authority to block access to football broadcasts has been revoked.

The Constitutional Court (AYM) annulled the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) authority to block access to illegal football broadcasts on the internet.

According to the decision published in the Official Gazette, some CHP deputies applied to the Constitutional Court to annul the first additional article titled "Protection of broadcasting rights", which authorizes the TFF.

It has been claimed that the rule granting the TFF the authority to block broadcasts of football matches within Türkiye if it is determined that they are being made available on the internet illegally is unconstitutional.

The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the CHP deputies, annulling the rule in question and ruling that the decision would come into effect nine months later.

The decision included the following assessments:

“The rule does not contain a provision for the Board of Directors and the administrative unit to submit the decision to block access to a judge or court for approval.

In the event that broadcasts of football matches within the borders of the Republic of Turkey are made available on the internet in an unlawful manner, it is within the discretion of the legislator to determine the authorities that will block access to the relevant content or the entire website.

However, regulations authorizing the relevant authorities to use a severe restriction tool such as blocking access without the approval of judicial authorities must include safeguards against arbitrary practices.”