EX-LIVERPOOL star Nuri Sahin rushed to protect the referee from his OWN Antalyaspor players after the controversial loss to Fenerbahce.
Referee Kadir Saglam sent the Antalyaspor team into fits of rage after a number of controversial decisions saw the team fall to a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Super Lig leaders.
The Super Lig referee sparked outrage during Antalyaspor’s clash with FenerbacheCredit: beIN Sports via Twitter
Antalyaspor manager Sahin, who used to play for Liverpool, leapt to the referee’s defenceCredit: beIN Sports via Twitter
Sahin ushered his players awayCredit: beIN Sports via Twitter
Antalyaspor were denied an equaliser, which would have pushed them a point above the relegation zone, with a dodgy offside call.
At full-time, Antalyaspor players angrily confronted referee Saglam.
But in an effort to calm tensions, ex-Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Real Madrid ace Sahin, who manages the team at the young age of 34, leapt to the referee’s defence.
Sahin extended his arms out to shield Saglam and waived his players away.
It didn’t stop Saglam from brandishing a red card though, to what looks to be a staff member.
After the game, Antalyaspor have demanded the VAR logs in a strongly-worded statement titled “Darkness of night”.
Antalyaspor branded Saglam as a “novice”, while also citing their previous grievances with the referee.
It read: “In Turkish football, Sivas and Gaziantep yesterday, Antalya today, is another city where a dark night will be experienced tomorrow.
“We knew Kadir Saglam before.
“Let’s remind: In the Kasımpaşa match we played in the 5th week of this season , tonight’s referee Kadir Saglam was also the one who did not give a red card to Larsson’s face in the match against Kasimpasa, but who made up a penalty in the position that went aude, and who was suspended for 4 weeks after this match.
“We said we don’t want novice referees.
“In today’s match, the same referee who assisted Fenerbahce’s first goal, sought the penalty and made up the offside, despite being stopped by a foul while attacking with Bunyamin while he was ahead 1-0.
“We wonder if there ‘s any offside talk in the VAR recordings .
“We demand clarification, we believe that TFF’s understanding of transparency requires it.
“If there is a right, we want it to be known that we are not halal.
“We are against the order that treats Anatolian clubs to the championship race. We demand justice not only for our community, but for all Anatolian clubs.”
Bitter rivals Galatasaray have echoed Antalyaspor’s calls for the release of the VAR recordings.
Galatasaray trail their Istanbul rivals in the Super Lig by two points and would be level had Tuesday’s game with Antalyaspor ended a draw.
Galatasaray tweeted: “Those who do not suffer from justice received their privilege @Fenerbahce .
“We will continue to seek justice for all.
“Let the VAR records of the Antalyaspor – Fenerbahce match be announced, let’s see what a cover is for the operation.”