Turkish footballer Baris Alper Yilmaz injured in controversial Galatasaray match

In a tense match on Dec. 8, Galatasaray secured a 3-2 victory over Sivasspor, but attention quickly shifted to Baris Alper Yilmaz‘s injury after a harsh tackle by Rej Manaj.

The late-game incident caused widespread outrage, raising concerns over player safety and referee decisions.

Rej Manaj’s unsportsmanlike foul in Sivasspor-Galatasaray match draws criticism

Baris Alper Yilmaz suffered a severe injury near the end of the game when Rej Manaj kicked his left ankle near the corner area. Despite the aggressive nature of the foul, referee Turgut Doman issued only a yellow card, sparking outrage.

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk strongly criticized the decision, stating: “A player deliberately runs from his position to step on someone else’s foot, intending to injure them. VAR called for a review, but the referee refused to issue a red card. That summarizes today.”

The incident became a trending topic on social media, with fans demanding justice for Yilmaz. Galatasaray’s official accounts condemned the foul, stating, “We are eagerly waiting for the VAR communications about the foul on Baris Alper Yilmaz in the final minutes. Despite all scandalous referee decisions during the match, good will always prevail.”

Turkish football federation pledges disciplinary action

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) responded quickly with an official statement.

We deeply regret that Baris Alper Yilmaz, a valuable player for Galatasaray and our national team, was subjected to an unsportsmanlike intervention.

The incident will be thoroughly investigated, and we will ensure that the responsible parties face the necessary disciplinary penalties.

TFF statement

The TFF emphasized that player safety is a top priority in Turkish football and promised a full investigation into the foul.

Updates on Baris Alper Yilmaz’s health reveal injury severity

Galatasaray’s medical team provided an update on Yilmaz’s condition, confirming that he avoided a fracture but suffered severe trauma to his Achilles tendon, which caused complications in his knee.

Club doctor Yener Ince said: “There is no suspicion of a fracture in Baris Alper Yilmaz’s leg. However, he has a knee problem caused by the force of the tackle. The full extent of his condition will become clear after further medical tests, including an MRI.”

Teammate Yunus Akgun described the emotional impact of the injury, saying, “Baris was crying in the locker room. His injury is serious, and he might need hospital care. The referee said his foot was on the ground. How does that justify what happened?”

Rej Manaj apologizes after facing backlash

Amid the criticism, Rej Manaj issued a public apology via Instagram, addressing Baris Alper Yilmaz directly. “I deeply regret the incident. It was never my intention to injure Baris Alper Yilmaz. I extend my heartfelt apologies and wish him a speedy recovery. The adrenaline of the match caused this unfortunate event,” he wrote.

However, the apology did little to quell the criticism. Galatasaray executive Ibrahim Hatipoglu called for referee Turgut Doman to step down.

This referee should immediately resign. They show hostility toward Galatasaray and now even our national players. The photos of Baris’s leg are horrifying. This was not an accident—it was deliberate. We won today, but such a victory means nothing when achieved like this.

Ibrahim Hatipoglu said

Football world shows support for Baris Alper Yilmaz

The injury sparked an outpouring of support for Yilmaz from players, teams, and fans across Türkiye and beyond. Many expressed their hope for a swift recovery for the young player, who is also a key member of Türkiye’s national team.

Disciplinary proceedings against Rej Manaj are now underway as the TFF investigates the incident. Galatasaray has called for stricter enforcement of fair play rules to ensure the safety of all players in the Super Lig. Further updates on Yilmaz’s recovery are expected in the coming days.