Week 5 of the Turkish Super Lig stirs up commotion: Video Assistant Referees, red card incidents, and offside controversies
In the world of Turkish football, a storm of controversy has erupted surrounding the Video Assistant Referees (VAR) system, with Trabzonspor coach Fatih Tekke leading the charge. Tekke's comments, expressing concerns about the disadvantages smaller clubs face and the perceived favoritism towards established major clubs, have sparked a wave of debate on social media.
The latest incident that has fueled this controversy occurred in the Galatasaray vs Eyupspor match, where a goal was disallowed due to an offside decision that sparked controversy. Video replays suggested that the ball came off a Galatasaray player before reaching the Eyupspor striker, but the offside line was not clearly defined on replays, causing controversy.
This is not an isolated incident. In the Besiktas vs Basaksehir match, Orkun Kokcu received a red card in the 90+8th minute after a VAR review, a decision that drew intense criticism from both the technical staff and fans. Fenerbahce's goal was approved in a similar situation, leading to accusations of inconsistent VAR applications.
Tekke's comments reflect long-standing frustrations among smaller clubs regarding fairness and equal treatment. His criticism of refereeing standards and the broader structure of Turkish football echoes the sentiments of fans and analysts who question the consistency of officiating and highlight perceived favoritism towards major clubs.
Analysts suggest that these statements reflect systemic issues rather than isolated incidents. Referees such as Serkan Tokat and VAR referee Hakan Ceylan have been criticized for their decisions since the season began, with their interventions often labeled unnecessary and ineffective.
In response to the controversy, Besiktas announced its intention to appeal to the Türkiye Football Federation (TFF) after the match. Eyupspor's camp expressed disappointment over the lack of VAR intervention, adding to the growing calls for more public accountability and consistent decision-making.
As the season progresses, it remains to be seen whether the TFF will address these concerns and work towards ensuring fairness and equal treatment for all clubs in Turkish football. Until then, the debate will continue to rage on social media, with fans, coaches, and analysts all demanding transparency and consistency in the application of the VAR system.
