Galatasaray faces backlash over referee decisions, integrity of Turkish Super Lig

Turkish football is embroiled in controversy as allegations against Galatasaray’s influence over referees dominate headlines.

Rival clubs and football analysts have raised concerns about the integrity of officiating in the Super Lig, fueling debates about fairness and transparency.

So what were the incidents that triggered these criticisms and Galatasaray’s response?

Controversial incidents in recent Galatasaray matches draw criticism

Galatasaray vs. Goztepe (Jan. 4, 2025)

Galatasaray’s narrow 2-1 win over Goztepe became a focal point of criticism. Former referees and analysts closely examined decisions made by match official Alper Akarsu:

• Penalty awarded to Galatasaray: Goztepe defender Djalma was penalized for striking Kaan’s face with an extended arm. Analyst Firat Aydinus considered the call correct but pointed out inconsistencies in similar rulings throughout the league.
• Goztepe’s denied penalty: A clear handball by Galatasaray’s Lucas Torreira went unpunished. Trio analysts agreed that Torreira’s arm position warranted a penalty, but VAR failed to intervene.
• Missed yellow card: Baris Alper Yilmaz sarcastically applauded officials—a behavior that mandates a yellow card. However, this went unaddressed by the referee.

In response, Goztepe issued a statement urging the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to adopt a foreign referee system in the Turkish Super Lig to restore trust and neutrality in officiating.

Galatasaray vs. Trabzonspor (Dec. 16, 2024)

Galatasaray’s 4-3 victory over Trabzonspor was overshadowed by controversial decisions:

• Yunus Akgun incident: Yunus’s elbow on Trabzonspor’s Muhammed Cham went unpunished. Trabzonspor’s official account posted, “What is a yellow card, and when should it be given?” in protest.
• Disputed third Trabzonspor goal: Galatasaray’s players argued that the ball crossed the sideline before Trabzonspor’s third goal. VAR upheld the goal, adding to their frustration.
• Penalty awarded to Galatasaray: Referee Kadir Saglam reversed an initial decision and awarded a penalty after a VAR review. While technically correct, this move sparked accusations of favoritism.

Discussions after the match revolved more around officiating errors than the game itself, intensifying criticisms about Super Lig’s refereeing standards.

Galatasaray vs. Besiktas (Oct. 28, 2024)

The Istanbul Super Lig derby ended in a 2-1 win for Galatasaray but left both teams frustrated by refereeing decisions:

• Missed fouls: Besiktas players complained about unpunished fouls by Galatasaray defenders. Davinson Sanchez avoided a yellow card for a high challenge on Ciro Immobile.
• Penalty appeals dismissed: Mauro Icardi’s appeals for penalties were denied twice, leading Besiktas’s head coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst to criticize the inconsistencies.
• VAR controversy: Both teams’ coaching staff expressed frustration over VAR’s failure to intervene in critical moments. Van Bronckhorst remarked, “Even the VAR system cannot explain some of these decisions.”

These incidents reinforced perceptions of leniency toward Galatasaray, prompting calls for systemic changes in officiating in the Turkish Super Lig.

Fenerbahce protests after Hatayspor match (Jan. 5, 2025)

Fenerbahce’s 2-1 win over Hatayspor was overshadowed by Vice President Acun Ilicali’s strong criticism of refereeing:

• “Galatasaray hasn’t seen a red card in 2.5 years, while our clear penalties are denied week after week,” Ilicali said.
• He also accused Lucas Torreira of simulation during the Goztepe game, claiming such tactics unfairly influence officials.

Fan backlash at Kadikoy

During Fenerbahce’s match, fans expressed their anger over perceived biases:

• Chants like “How easy it is to win championships with money” (Parayla sampiyonluk ne kadar kolay) echoed in the stands.
• Social media hashtags like #AliKocIstifa (Ali Koc resign) trended, signaling broader dissatisfaction with leadership and officiating.

Recurring issues in Galatasaray’s Super Lig matches

The pattern of controversial decisions is not new. Key matches in recent seasons have added to the criticism:

Match	Date	Key incidents
Galatasaray vs. Trabzonspor	Dec 16, 2024	Yunus Akgun’s elbow on Muhammed Cham went unpunished, sparking calls for stricter officiating.
Galatasaray vs. Besiktas	Oct 28, 2024	Missed penalty appeals and fouls by Galatasaray players led to frustration from Besiktas.
Galatasaray vs. Goztepe	Jan 4, 2025	Goztepe’s denied penalty and unpunished misconduct by Galatasaray players added to the tension.

Former Besiktas coach Sergen Yalcin recently accused referee Abdulkadir Bitigen of making up for prior mistakes in favor of Galatasaray. These claims continue to fuel demands for reforms.

Calls for foreign referees, reform in Turkish football

Clubs and officials are increasingly advocating for foreign referees to restore confidence in the league:

• Besiktas President Hasan Arat: “We expect fairness similar to what we experience in European games,” he said during a November 2024 statement.
• Goztepe’s demand: Their January 2025 statement emphasized the need for neutral officiating to address public trust.

Critics argue that the TFF‘s reluctance to adopt such changes exacerbates mistrust and harms the league’s credibility.

Galatasaray pushes back against allegations of foul-play

Galatasaray has denied all accusations, framing them as attempts to divert attention from rivals’ shortcomings. In a Jan. 6 statement, the club stated:

• “Every week, rival clubs fabricate stories filled with lies and narratives to distract from their own failures.”
• They also stressed their early-season proposal for foreign VAR referees, arguing it demonstrated their commitment to fairness.

The club concluded by reiterating its focus on sportsmanship and success, saying, “Our players fight with integrity and character on the field.”