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 a sending-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 Besiktas defender Emirhan Topçu, which quickly escalated into a heated exchange.
In a moment of frustration, Osimhen grabbed Topçu by the collar, sparking a tense standoff on the pitch.
Referee Yasin Kol opted to issue yellow cards to both players, despite efforts by Osimhen’s teammate Wilfred Ndidi to de-escalate the situation.
As reported by Duhuliye, the refereeing decision has sparked a sharp divide among Turkish officiating 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 resulted in at least another yellow,” Gezer stated. “This means he should have been dismissed for a second booking.”
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 a clear 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 intensified as allegations emerged accusing Topçu of racially abusing Osimhen during the clash. Should these claims be substantiated, they could significantly shift the narrative surrounding the incident.
Visuals from the match show Wilfred Ndidi stepping in to mediate, attempting to calm a situation that had clearly escalated beyond the usual on-field disputes.
Unconfirmed reports claim that Topçu used the derogatory term “black monkey” towards Osimhen, allegedly provoking the striker’s intense reaction.
To date, no official statements have been released by the Turkish Football Federation, UEFA, or FIFA 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,
“Osimhen’s act of grabbing his opponent’s neck clearly warrants a red card. Galatasaray should have been reduced to nine men.”
Çakar has recently attracted attention for his controversial remarks regarding Osimhen’s health, which reportedly have led to legal proceedings initiated by Galatasaray.
FIFA-listed referee Bülent Yıldırım and former official Deniz Çoban concurred that Osimhen’s behavior warranted a more severe sanction.
Yıldırım commented, “Osimhen raised his foot, struck once, then again, causing Jurasek to fall. He also gripped Emirhan’s throat with excessive force and aggression. This should have resulted in a red card.”
Ultimately, the disciplinary verdict and ongoing public discourse may depend heavily on the verification of the alleged racist insult by Emirhan Topçu.