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The fifth week of the Turkish Super Lig was dominated not by goals or spectacular plays but by controversial referee decisions, VAR interventions, and red cards. These incidents sparked intense debates among clubs, players, media, and fans.
High-profile matches, including Galatasaray vs Eyupspor, Besiktas vs Basaksehir, and Fenerbahce vs Trabzonspor saw decisions that raised serious questions about consistency and fairness in Turkish football.
The Galatasaray–Eyupspor match in Week 5 drew attention not only for the scoreline but also for a highly debated refereeing decision. In the 53rd minute, Eyupspor appeared to score a legitimate goal, but it was disallowed for offside. Video replays indicated that the ball came off a Galatasaray player before reaching the Eyupspor striker, sparking discussions about whether the goal should have been counted.
Eyupspor’s camp expressed disappointment over the lack of VAR intervention. Club sources suggested that the players’ hesitant reaction may have influenced the referees. Fans across social media echoed these concerns, questioning the consistency of officiating and highlighting perceived favoritism toward major clubs. Analysts noted that Galatasaray’s aggressive play might have affected the referee’s perception, giving the home side a psychological edge.
At Vodafone Park, the Besiktas vs Basaksehir match became the most discussed game of the week due to a last-minute red card. In the 90+8th minute, Orkun Kokcu’s challenge on an opponent initially went unnoticed by the referee, but after a VAR alert, the play was reviewed and a direct red card was issued. This decision drew intense criticism from both the technical staff and fans.
Technical analysis of the incident
Besiktas’ response
Besiktas announced that it will formally appeal to the Türkiye Football Federation (TFF) after the match. The coach stated that the red card significantly affected the game’s outcome and criticized VAR’s heavy-handed intervention as contrary to the natural flow of football. The club management also requested an independent evaluation of the referee's performance.
VAR and referee controversy
Referee Serkan Tokat has been criticized since the season began. VAR referee Hakan Ceylan’s intervention was labeled unnecessary and ineffective. Former referee Ahmet Cakar stated that the incident might not have warranted even a yellow card and emphasized that VAR guided the referee rather than letting him manage the game independently.
Fan reactions
The Week 5 clash between Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor at Kadikoy was expected to be a competitive encounter, but post-match discussions quickly shifted from on-field play to refereeing controversies and VAR decisions.
Trabzonspor had a goal disallowed in a highly debated offside call involving Onuachu. The offside line was not clearly defined on replays, leaving fans and analysts questioning the decision. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce had a goal approved in a similar situation, prompting accusations of inconsistent VAR applications and bias toward larger clubs.
Fatih Tekke speaks out
Trabzonspor coach Fatih Tekke did not hold back after the match, delivering a strong critique of refereeing standards and the broader structure of Turkish football. He said:
https://x.com/Trabzonspor/status/1967270638781165637
"After our goal was disallowed, there is no point in evaluating the game. Someone please explain, what are you trying to do? Football in this country is not being played properly. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce get leniency, Besiktas does not. We are (Tranzonspor) already at a disadvantage."
His comments highlight long-standing frustrations among smaller clubs regarding fairness and equal treatment in Turkish football. Analysts suggest that these statements reflect systemic issues rather than isolated incidents.
VAR controversies
The match highlighted inconsistencies in VAR intervention:
Social media quickly reacted to Tekke’s statements, with fans questioning VAR policies, referees’ independence, and the transparency of the Türkiye Football Federation (TFF).
Comments ranged from claims that VAR “favors the big clubs” to demands for more public accountability and consistent decision-making.
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