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Fenerbahçe official slams referees, warns of 'measures' over perceived bias
🇹🇷 Turkey /Sports

Fenerbahçe official slams referees, warns of 'measures' over perceived bias

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Fenerbahçe's General Secretary Mahmut Uslu strongly criticized refereeing decisions and the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) refusal to postpone a match.
  • Uslu claimed Fenerbahçe was denied two clear penalties during their 2-1 loss to Gençlerbirliği, including a handball incident.
  • He issued a veiled threat, stating Fenerbahçe would take "whatever comes to mind" if such issues persist, emphasizing a desire for fair competition.

Following Fenerbahçe's unexpected 2-1 defeat to Gençlerbirliği in the opening week of the Trendyol Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe General Secretary Mahmut Uslu launched a scathing attack on the match officials and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). Uslu vehemently argued that his team was denied at least two legitimate penalties during the game.

Two of our penalties were not given! I won't discuss why. There is a very real thing. In the ball Talisca hit, the arm is very open, the book says it's a penalty and a red card. We don't know if VAR is foreign or Turkish.

— Mahmut UsluProtesting refereeing decisions after Fenerbahçe's loss.

"Two of our penalties were not given! I won't discuss why," Uslu declared, highlighting a specific handball incident involving Talisca. "There is a very real thing. In the ball Talisca hit, the arm is very open, the book says it's a penalty and a red card. We don't know if VAR is foreign or Turkish." He appealed directly to the TFF President to prevent similar occurrences, stating, "We ask especially; from now on, if there are the slightest similar things... We take all kinds of measures."

We ask especially; from now on, if there are the slightest similar things... We take all kinds of measures.

— Mahmut UsluIssuing a warning to the Turkish Football Federation regarding future officiating.

Uslu expressed frustration over the TFF's decision not to postpone Fenerbahçe's upcoming Champions League qualifying match, despite the team's request. "They have a mentality that continues in the same way. We specifically ask; from now on, if there are the slightest similar things..." he stated, implying a lack of consideration for the team's demanding schedule.

We will do whatever comes to your mind regarding the league. Nobody should mess with Fenerbahçe anymore.

— Mahmut UsluThreatening unspecified actions if perceived injustices continue.

When pressed about what measures Fenerbahçe might take, Uslu responded with a stark warning: "We will do whatever comes to your mind regarding the league. Nobody should mess with Fenerbahçe anymore." He insisted that the Talisca incident was a "100 percent penalty," as was a play involving Mert, and that Fenerbahçe wants to compete under equal conditions. "It wasn't equal. All duels were called against us. This league cannot continue like this," he concluded, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the officiating and the league's management.

It wasn't equal. All duels were called against us. This league cannot continue like this.

— Mahmut UsluExpressing frustration over perceived biased officiating.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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