Galatasaray slams officiating after Super Eagles star’s red card

Posted : 03 February 2025

Galatasaray, a prominent club in the Turkish Super Lig, has expressed strong disapproval of the Turkish football authorities following a contentious penalty decision that contributed to Fenerbahçe's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Rizespor. The controversial penalty, which was awarded after a challenge by Nigerian midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin, significantly shifted the momentum in favor of Fenerbahçe, leading to their comeback.

Rizespor was initially in the lead, but the penalty decision, reviewed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), changed the course of the match. A challenge by Olawoyin in the box was deemed sufficient for a penalty, which Edin Džeko converted, keeping Fenerbahçe in the game. The situation worsened for Rizespor when Olawoyin was shown a second yellow card, reducing his team to ten men. This gave Fenerbahçe a numerical advantage, which they capitalized on, with Džeko scoring the equalizer in the 79th minute and Youssef En-Nesyri netting the winner.

The decision has sparked significant outrage from Galatasaray, who have accused the Turkish Football Federation of bias and favoritism towards Fenerbahçe. The club has taken to social media to express their displeasure, criticizing the use of foreign VAR officials and alleging that the Turkish authorities are manipulating match outcomes to benefit Fenerbahçe.

Galatasaray’s message was filled with anger, as they labeled the authorities as "thieves" who ignore fairness in their pursuit of victories. They condemned the foreign VAR officials for not ensuring justice in the game and accused them of making unfair decisions to grant privileges to Fenerbahçe. The club vowed to continue fighting against what they perceive as an unjust system, insisting that such actions will not help Fenerbahçe achieve success.

The controversy surrounding this match is not an isolated incident. Galatasaray pointed out a similar situation in their recent game against Konyaspor, where Victor Osimhen was denied a penalty despite being heavily marked by four defenders in the box. The club believes that these repeated controversial decisions are part of a larger effort to ensure Fenerbahçe remains competitive and maintains a realistic chance of winning the title.

Galatasaray, who still sit at the top of the Super Lig standings with 54 points, have made it clear that they are unhappy with how the Turkish authorities are handling key decisions. Despite the controversial penalties and the ongoing battle for the title, they remain in a strong position, holding a three-point lead over Fenerbahçe, who are second in the table.

As the season progresses, Galatasaray continues to focus on maintaining their lead and pushing forward in the title race. However, the club’s leadership remains committed to fighting against what they believe is unfair treatment in Turkish football, especially in relation to their rivals, Fenerbahçe.

Galatasaray slams officiating after Super Eagles star’s red card

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