Acun Ilıcalı Denounces Refereeing in Süper Lig, Says Galatasaray Gets Favorable Calls
Fenerbahçe Vice-President Acun Ilıcalı made a statement after the Hatayspor match. He claimed that Galatasaray was being pushed to the top of the league and that Fenerbahçe was facing injustices.
In the 18th week of Trendyol Süper Lig, Fenerbahçe won 2-1 against Atakaş Hatayspor at home. The Yellow-Navy team increased their points to 39 and continued their pursuit of the top spot.
Fenerbahçe Vice-President Acun Ilıcalı shared his thoughts after the match:
“A TEAM BEING CLEARLY PUSHED”
“In yesterday’s Galatasaray match, there was a penalty not given in the 85th minute and in the Eyüp match, if they had awarded us a penalty, the point difference would have been 4. The opposing team hasn’t lost any points. They’re in protest. They’re in court with the TFF. They make every kind of call. How many points have they lost? None. Let’s count ours: We didn’t get a penalty in the Göztepe match. We didn’t get a penalty in the Eyüp match. We’ve lost 4 points. When was the last time Galatasaray saw a red card at home? Before the World Cup. They haven’t seen a red card in 2.5 years. I think it’s a comedy film. Galatasaray has missed 4-5 red cards. Mistakes happen, but if mistakes always go in favor of one team, there’s no justice. Where there’s no justice, protests will happen. Our coach is protesting. Our coach is really upset. Our coach asked, ‘Who is our opponent?’ I couldn’t say anything. You won’t see this kind of protest anywhere else. If you look at it, it’s clear this can’t continue. We have a lot to say. As management, we will meet with our president. We will fight until the end. We will reach the period when justice prevails in Turkey. There’s no justice in football right now. Yesterday, 15 referees didn’t give a penalty in a clear penalty situation. In the Eyüp match, we didn’t get our clear penalty. We’ll fight until the end. No one should think we will back down from this case. Turkey has seen that Turkish refereeing is over. Hopefully, we will have a fair league, a league where justice prevails. This is what we’re focused on. A team is clearly being pushed. It’s unjust, but it’s this extreme? Torreira is a good actor. Pay attention, he holds his chest. He uses his hand to clear the ball, then holds his chest. On the other hand, there’s a referee clapping for the referee. The referee can’t give a yellow card. 40 yellow cards weren’t given. What will happen? Of course, our agenda is the referee scandal in Turkey.”
“THE POINT DIFFERENCE WILL CLOSE”
“There are 20 matches left, the point difference will close. Let justice come, let’s see how both teams perform. Our fans can be at ease. The point difference you talk about has been closed before in Turkey. Let there be justice, then criticize us. We are not people who don’t make mistakes.”
“THE TENSION IN THE STANDS AFFECTS THE PLAYERS”
“We will evaluate the Turkey Cup decision at tomorrow’s meeting. If this league continues with these referees, I don’t know what to say. We want foreign referees. Even if they make mistakes, let them not favor one side. Last week, there was a penalty called for Torreira’s situation. Why does this player never get penalized? Our team is united. The players are giving everything. They know the point difference will close. We will make new transfers. The tension in the stands affects the players. We are open to the criticism of our fans. Reacting during the match is like cutting the branch you’re sitting on. Our fans are our 12th player. Samet being booed really hurt our players. We will fight until the end. We will make important transfers. There’s injustice. A team is clearly being pushed. These are the facts. Anyone who denies this is in a ridiculous position. If you changed two 200% penalty situations, the point difference would have been 4.”
