Fake Hayrettin!

“Yapma Hayrettin!” is a phrase famously uttered by announcer İlker Yasin during the live broadcast of the Galatasaray–Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) match played on 17 October 1996, which became an iconic part of Turkish popular culture.^【1】

^{Hayrettin Bektaş won five league titles and three Türkiye Cups with Galatasaray.}

The Galatasaray–PSG Match of 17 October 1996

Paris Saint-Germain, winners of the 1995–1996 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, visited the Ali Sami Yen Stadium on 17 October 1996 for the second round of the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup against Galatasaray. The match became an unforgettable encounter in Turkish football history. Galatasaray started strongly and took a 2–0 lead within minutes. However, Paris Saint-Germain equalized the score to 2–1 in the 18th minute and leveled the match at 2–2 in the 19th minute. The first half ended with Galatasaray leading 3–2. In the second half, the home side scored another goal to win the match 4–2. However, in the second leg of the tie, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Galatasaray 4–0 at home to advance to the next round.

^{İlker Yasin (Anadolu Ajansı)}

Its Place in Popular Culture

Beyond being a routine match in Turkish football history, the event gained lasting cultural significance due to İlker Yasin’s commentary. Immediately after PSG’s first goal, following an error by Galatasaray goalkeeper Hayrettin Demirbaş, Yasin exclaimed “Yapma Hayrettin!” — a reaction that rapidly spread among viewers of the time. Over the years, this phrase evolved into a humorous expression commonly used in everyday language and became an iconic cultural reference.