Journalists are always looking to draw attention and appeal with their articles. Their favourite time must be when the transfer window opens. This is because they can make up anything they want.
They can link a random player to a club. For the most part, it's harmless. In due course, the story will disappear and the player and club will move on. However, a recent fake story has seen a journalist being arrested.
This is actually a little crazy. If you could get arrested for spreading false transfer rumours, half of all football journalists would be in prison. Except that is exactly what has just happened in Turkiye.
Turkish authorities detained sports journalist, Burhan Can Terzi, in Istanbul over an investigation into claims he had published about a supposed deal to bring German star Jamal Musiala to Galatasaray. He was released after giving his statement.
According to the Spanish newspaper, Marca, the authorities picked Terzi up on Tuesday as part of an investigation opened by the public prosecutor's office in Bakırköy on the grounds of the "public dissemination of misleading information." The Turkish journalist had insisted his reports were accurate; maintaining that Galatasaray had reached an agreement to sign Musiala.
Terzi published information asserting that the Turkish club had sealed the deal for the Bayern Munich player. Galatasaray officially denied it.
The case escalated after the journalist repeatedly published information relating to Musiala. That angered Galatasaray, who felt the continued circulation of the news could mislead public opinion; especially after the club had already denied any agreement with the player.
Terzi didn't retract a word. He held completely to what he had published; insisting he had received data from various sources pointing to the possibility of Musiala arriving at the Turkish camp.
The Sun reported that it was the first high-profile detention of a sports journalist in Turkey under the country's disinformation law.
By his own account, the journalist knew Galatasaray might come out and deny the deal. He stressed his confidence in his sources anyway; going as far as to stake his professional reputation on the accuracy of his report.
As the investigation developed, Terzi pointed to Turkish businessman, Oktay Ercan, owner of the Belgian club Westerlo, as the man who had provided him with the information about Galatasaray's supposed move for Musiala.
On the back of the investigation opened by the Bakırköy public prosecutor's office, police took the journalist to an Istanbul station to give his statement about what he had published.
Terzi walked free once he had given it. His detention formed part of the investigation procedures rather than any judicial conviction, and he remains out of custody at present.
The incident has drawn attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding a transfer rumour and the application of Turkey's disinformation law to sports reporting.
The incident has drawn attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding a transfer rumour and the application of Turkey's disinformation law to sports reporting.
This might be controversial but I applaud what happened. I get really annoyed with made up stories. To me, these stories are made because the particular journalist wants that player to join the club. I can only wish that more action can be done so that only true and accurate information is spread.
As to the above transfer; I don't see it happening. Musiala is an important player for Bayern Munich and the club would scoff at any offer that's presented to them for the player.