An unusual interpretation of the coin toss in the Istanbul derby between Besiktas and Fenerbahce has drawn attention from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
Referee Arda Kardesler apparently used a coin bearing the logo of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin to choose sides in the top game on Sunday.
This was recorded in photos.
The TFF launched an investigation on Monday.
Turkish media reported that the referee asked the Fenerbahce captain, "Bitcoin or Ethereum?" Ethereum refers to another cryptocurrency.
A normal coin toss would be “heads or tails?”.
Colored chips are also often thrown, so that "red or black?" is asked.
It was initially not known whether the 34-year-old Kardeşler, who has already managed 22 championship games in Turkey this season, was joking or whether there was a commercial reason behind it.
Besiktas' main sponsor is a crypto asset platform starting next season.
The club initially gave no comment.
The association, on the other hand, stated that it "decidedly rejects the procedure".
The referee tossed the coin "without the knowledge and consent" of the TFF and the Association of Impartials (MHK).
Meanwhile, an order was issued by Tayfur Özkan, director of refereeing affairs at the Central Refereeing Committee, that only "Turkish coins with writings and heads" may be used in the future.
The game on Sunday ended 1:1.
Fenerbahce took the lead early after a goal from Novak (6th).
Ghezzal equalized with a penalty in the 31st minute.
With the point two games before the end of the season, Fenerbahce consolidated their second place in the table behind champions Trabzon, which entitles them to participate in the Champions League qualification.
Last year's champions and cup winners Besiktas, on the other hand, slipped to seventh place in the table towards the end of a disappointing season for the club.