Faruk Barlas

Faruk Barlas — Biography

Faruk Barlas was an Istanbul footballer who played in Galatasaray's defence and, after leaving the pitch, moved into refereeing and football administration. He is counted among the important names in the club's history and is remembered as one of the players who came through Galatasaray itself. With his team-mate Adnan İncimen he formed a defensive pair that was likened to France's Maginot Line and called the "Majino Hattı"; Barlas himself was nicknamed "Majino" or "Majino Faruk".

His honours are spread over two clubs. With Güneş he won the Istanbul Football League in 1936-37 and 1937-38 and the Millî Küme in 1937-38; with Galatasaray he took the 1938-39 Millî Küme title and the Istanbul Cup in 1941-42 and 1942-43. He studied at Galatasaray High School. For the national team he played one match, in 1937. He was also in Turkey's squad for the football tournament at the 1936 Summer Olympics, but did not play in any match there.

After his playing years he worked as a referee, then turned to administration and served at the Turkish Football Federation in the 1960s. He was born in Istanbul, though his birth year is also given as 1915 in some sources, and he died in Istanbul in 1994.