Female referee banned after ‘intercourse tape’ arrested over ‘obscene’ £30k-a-month pics
A former female referee has been arrested over “obscene” Instagram snaps after she was banned from football for life after allegedly starring in a sex tape
Elif Karaarslan has been at the centre of another scandal(Image: @elifkaraarslan_17/Instagram)
A former football referee arrested after Turkish officials branded her bikini snaps on Instagram “obscene” was reportedly earning nearly £30,000 a month from paid social media content before being forced to shut it down.
Elif Karaarslan was detained as part of a sweeping investigation in Turkey into alleged drug use and prostitution offences involving celebrities and social media figures.
But the case has also triggered ridicule and anger after the former referee was questioned over allegedly “pornographic” Instagram posts – despite the platform not allowing explicit adult content.
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Karaarslan reportedly told investigators that her paid posts were at most bikini pictures, that Instagram does not permit nudity, and that subscribers had willingly paid to view the material.
Turkish media reported that users paid $2 each to access her exclusive Instagram content, with more than 20,000 people said to have signed up.
The subscription system allegedly generated more than ₺1.8 million – nearly £30,000 – a month before it was cancelled under pressure from officials.
During questioning, Karaarslan denied any wrongdoing over her social media activity, insisting the content was consensual and did not amount to obscenity.
The obscenity claims have added a bizarre moral-policing element to the case, with critics seeing it as another example of women being targeted over their appearance and online behaviour. But Turkish reports say the more serious part of the investigation now centres on alleged drug use.
Tests reportedly carried out at the Forensic Medicine Institute on blood, urine and hair samples are said to have come back positive, with traces of cocaine and methamphetamine allegedly found.
Karaarslan was among 19 people detained in raids on entertainment venues in Istanbul on 11th April. Eight suspects, including Karaarslan, were later remanded in custody, while 11 others were released under judicial control.
Her case has attracted widespread attention because she was already a controversial figure after being banned from football over alleged sexual content online.
Karaarslan denies producing pornography and has reportedly insisted that the content on her account went no further than bikini images. The investigation is continuing.
The ex-referee has already been at a the centre of controversy when she allegedly romped in a sex tape – leading to a lifetime ban.
Karaarslan allegedly starred in a saucy recording alongside referees’ observer Orhan Erdemir. The TFF, Turkey’s FA, have also banned the former FIFA official – who is almost three times Karaarslan’s age.
Karaarslan denied being in the video and intends to appeal the decision. She said: “I will have a long road ahead legally, but will overcome in the strongest and most robust way.
“I look forward to your full support and love in this process. Crying, screaming and being sad are not things I would do. That is not me. I will stand by my cause until the end. I am just one of many who are being harmed – I hope I am the last.”
Erdemir admitted he’s in the video and that it was circulated without his permission. He said: “My honour in my family, my social circle and the refereeing community has been blown away.
“In addition to my financial losses, the emotional damage I have suffered is indescribable.”
