A TV station was forced to make a public apology after focusing on a fan's cleavage during coverage of a volleyball match between Turkey and the United States.
As defending champions Turkey triumphed in a 3-2 victory over the US, the camera cut to the ecstatic reactions of the crowd, relayed in slow motion for effect.
But it was their focus on one female supporter dressed in Turkey's colours that caused backlash on social media, as several seconds of the woman jumping in jubilation was deemed too much for the intended audiences.
As the woman was reportedly forced to take her social media channels offline following criticism, Turkish TRT Spor released a statement blaming the coverage on its host broadcaster in the US.
They said an 'unwanted image' had appeared during the broadcast, blaming the 'disturbing situation' on the US.
'This image, which is completely contrary to our publication policy, originates from the US broadcaster and the discomfort felt by this situation has been conveyed to the other party,' the statement read.
A woman smiles as her team triumphs over the US to defend its title
The broadcaster was criticised for its coverage, which they said was the fault of the US
Fans erupted on Monday as Turkey prevailed in a hard-fought tie-breaker to overcome the Americans 3-2 in the FIVB Nations League.
As the crowd celebrated the victory on the pitch, the camera held its gaze for a few moments on the reaction of one fan dressed in all red.
The female supporter jumped on the spot, elated by the victory.
But broadcast in slow motion, critics in Turkey were apparently offended by the woman's dress code.
The woman was sadly targeted by threats and insulting messages after the clip was broadcast, before being pushed to close her accounts, according to Turkish media.
With no mention of the woman or abuse endured, the broadcaster shared a press release on Monday after the game.
'We would like the public to know that the shooting and direction of the match was carried out by the US broadcaster,' the statement read.
They said TRT Spor and all other broadcasters using the US stream showed the images relayed to them 'without the possibility of intervention'.
'Therefore, this image which is completely contrary to our publication policy, originates from the US broadcaster and the discomfort felt by this situation has been conveyed to the other party.
'TRT, in its capacity and responsibility as Turkey's public broadcaster, will continue to be a strong supporter of Turkish sports,' the statement said, wishing the Turkish team luck in their upcoming matches against Thailand, Dominican Republic, China and Brazil later this month.
Not all agreed. One user on Twitter/X wrote: 'They should apologise to the real woman, why did they do it?'
Another said: 'She's happy leave her alone'
But others thought the channel was right to 'apologise' for offending local sensibilities.
'There was an accident. TRT did the right thing and apologised. There is no fault of anyone here. I don't think women will have a problem with this issue. After all, she took a risk and the accident happened in a moment of excitement,' another user said, responding to the video.
Turkey is officially a secular democracy, having undergone a steady process of liberalisation since the presidency of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk from 1923.
But women in Turkey report struggling to protect their rights under the conservative government of incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan has vehemently denied wanting to impose strict Muslim values on the country but courted swathes of the religious right with conservative policies.
In 2021, he elected to withdraw from a European convention aimed at combating violence against women, arguing it damaged family unity and promoted LGBTQ rights.
It was a policy reversal for Erdogan, though, with Turkey the first country to ratify the law in Istanbul in 2011.
Ecstatic reactions from the team and a fan as Turkey held on to its title in the Nations League
One wrote online: 'They should apologise to the real woman, why did they do it?'
The video was slowed and fixated on the woman in red for several seconds
Turkish President Recep Tayyip pictured after a cabinet meeting in Ankara on June 4, 2024
'These were the early years of the (ruling party), when it positioned itself as moderate conservatives,' said Gokce Gokcen, the deputy head of the main secular opposition party.
Conservative women have made big strides under Erdogan's government.
Erdogan's government has lifted a ban on wearing headscarves in state institutions in 2013, creating room for millions of religious women to go to university and enter the workforce.
He also declared 'abortion is murder' in 2012, triggering outcry from pro-choice activists.
Erdogan portrays himself as the guarantor of Muslims against secular elites that dominated Turkish politics for much of the 20th century.
They stripped religious symbols from state institutions as part of a modernisation drive that pushed post-Ottoman Turkey closer to Europe.
