Fenerbahce head coach Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration over controversial VAR decisions in a thrilling 3-2 Super Lig victory against Trabzonspor on Sunday. The match was marred by contentious officiating, leading Mourinho to declare that the Video Assistant Referee has gone from being “the invisible man” to “the most important man on the pitch.”
Trabzonspor benefited from two second-half penalties awarded after VAR reviews, leveling the score at 2-2 late in the game. Mourinho was particularly incensed by a challenge on Fenerbahce’s Bright Osayi-Samuel, which he felt warranted a penalty but was overlooked by the officials. “It seems the VAR, Atilla Karaoglan, was too busy enjoying coffee to notice that clear penalty,” Mourinho quipped after the match.
Despite the VAR drama, Fenerbahce snatched victory when Sofyan Amrabat scored a dramatic late winner deep into stoppage time, prompting Mourinho to celebrate exuberantly with a knee slide on the pitch.
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In his post-match interview with beIN Sports Turkiye, Mourinho did not hold back, stating, “The referee was just a little boy out there, but Atilla Karaoglan was the one officiating. He should never referee another Fenerbahce match again.” The Portuguese manager criticized the inconsistency of VAR, noting that while Karaoglan was quick to award penalties to Trabzonspor, he failed to recognize clear fouls against his team.
“Isn’t a red card on Bright Osayi-Samuel obvious? He was having Turkish tea while missing that blatant foul,” Mourinho added, highlighting his dissatisfaction with the officiating.
As Fenerbahce aims to maintain momentum in the Super Lig, Mourinho’s comments bring attention to ongoing debates surrounding VAR and officiating standards in football, ensuring this match will be remembered for more than just the scoreline. Fans are now left wondering how VAR will impact future matches as the league progresses.