Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho blasted the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), Atilla Karaoglan, following his side’s 3-2 Super Lig victory at Trabzonspor on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Mourinho claimed VAR unfairly influenced the game, awarding two penalties to Trabzonspor and ignoring a crucial incident involving Bright Osayi-Samuel.
“The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan, so man of the match,” Mourinho told beIN Sports Turkiye.
“He goes from the invisible man to the most important man in the match.”
Mourinho questioned Karaoglan’s attentiveness, suggesting he “was drinking coffee” during Osayi-Samuel’s unpunished challenge. He also criticized VAR’s inconsistent decisions, stating, “He was alert to give the two penalty decisions (to Trabzonspor)… then was having Turkish tea when it was a clear penalty for us and didn’t give it.”
The Fenerbahce coach demanded Karaoglan never officiate another Fenerbahce game, saying, “I think I am speaking on behalf of every Fenerbahce fan, we don’t want him again.”
Despite the controversy, Fenerbahce secured a thrilling win with Sofyan Amrabat’s stoppage-time goal, prompting Mourinho’s celebratory knee slide.
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