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* Coach Recep accuses Referee Halil of bias
By Emuobonuvie Ojeni
Galatasaray’s narrow 1-0 victory over Konyaspor over the weekend on match day 21st of the Turkish Super Lig has spark heated accusations of favouritism and match-fixing.
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Konyaspor’s Head Coach Recep Ucar and President Omer Korkmaz were vocal in their criticism of referee Halil Umut Meler, accusing him of bias toward Galatasaray.
Nigeria Victor Osimhen’s decisive penalty sealed the win for the league leaders, the match was marred by controversial refereeing decisions.
Referee under fire after Galatasaray win
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Following the controversial match, Konyaspor’s Head Coach Recep Ucar and President Omer Korkmaz were vocal in their criticism of referee Halil Umut Meler, accusing him of bias toward Galatasaray.
Ucar expressed frustration over Meler’s officiating, particularly the decision to award Galatasaray a 22nd-minute penalty following a foul on Osimhen.
“We tried to play our game, but the referee’s decisions were frustrating,” Ucar declared, while also arguing that Galatasaray players, including Lucas Torreira, escaped punishment for fouls that warranted yellow or red cards.
The criticism goes beyond Konyaspor, as sporting commentator Ahmet Çakar lambasting Meler’s performance.
“The referee was very poor. It was as though he had forgotten how to referee,” Çakar remarked, citing multiple instances where decisions favoured Galatasaray.
This match is not the first time Galatasaray has faced accusations of unfair advantages as they continue to work their way to back-to-back Super Lig titles.
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The situation is made more suspicious by questions about the character of referee Halil Umut Meler, whose decisions in a Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Al Shabab were similarly criticised, leading to his suspension from officiating in Saudi Arabia.
