Victor Osimhen’s intense confrontation during Galatasaray’s 1-1 draw against Besiktas has ignited widespread controversy within Turkish football, with numerous former referees arguing that the Nigerian striker narrowly avoided being sent off, according to Soccernet.ng.
The incident unfolded in the 40th minute of the heated Istanbul derby. Osimhen, 26, went down following a challenge from Emirhan Topçu, which quickly escalated into a heated exchange.
Tempers flared as Osimhen, visibly agitated, grabbed the Besiktas defender by the collar of his shirt.
Referee Yasin Kol opted to issue yellow cards to both players, despite efforts by Osimhen’s fellow Nigerian, Wilfred Ndidi, to de-escalate the situation.
According to Duhuliye, this decision has sparked a sharp divide among Turkish refereeing experts, many of whom argue that Osimhen deserved a red card.
Among the critics was retired referee and former police officer Bünyamin Gezer, who voiced his disapproval of the referee’s leniency.
“Osimhen’s foul on Jurasek warranted a yellow card, and his action against Emirhan should have also resulted in at least a yellow,” Gezer stated. “This means he should have been dismissed for accumulating two yellows.”
Ex-assistant referee Bahattin Duran took a sterner stance, labeling Osimhen’s conduct as deserving a straight red card.
“The way Osimhen grabbed Emirhan was unquestionably a red card offense. Emirhan should have been cautioned, while Osimhen should have been sent off,” Duran explained.
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Victor Osimhen: Racism Claims Surface Amidst Refereeing Controversy
The controversy surrounding the refereeing decision has been further complicated by allegations that Emirhan Topçu directed racial slurs at Osimhen during the clash. Should these accusations be substantiated, they could significantly shift the narrative around the incident.
Visual footage captures Wilfred Ndidi stepping in to mediate, attempting to calm a situation that had clearly escalated beyond the usual competitive tension.
Unconfirmed reports claim that Topçu allegedly called Osimhen a “black monkey,” a derogatory term that reportedly provoked the striker’s intense reaction.
To date, neither the Turkish Football Federation, UEFA, nor FIFA has issued any official statement regarding the racism allegations, leaving the matter unresolved more than two days after the match.
Referee analyst Ahmet Çakar also expressed his opinion on the incident, stating,
“The moment Osimhen grabbed his opponent’s neck was a clear red card offense. Galatasaray should have been reduced to nine men.”
Çakar has recently attracted attention for his contentious remarks about Osimhen’s fitness, and Galatasaray is reportedly considering legal action against him.
FIFA-listed referee Bülent Yıldırım and former official Deniz Çoban concurred that Osimhen’s actions warranted a more severe penalty.
Yıldırım commented, “Osimhen raised his foot, struck once, then again, causing Jurasek to fall. He then forcefully gripped Emirhan’s throat with unacceptable aggression. This should have resulted in a red card.”
With the claims of provocation still under investigation, the final disciplinary decision and the wider public discourse may ultimately depend on whether the alleged racist insult by Emirhan Topçu is confirmed.
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