Victor Osimhen’s heated altercation during Galatasaray’s 1–1 draw with Besiktas has triggered a storm of debate across Turkish football circles, with several retired referees insisting the Nigerian striker was lucky to stay on the pitch, Soccernet.ng reports.
The flashpoint came in the 40th minute of the fiery Istanbul derby. Osimhen, 26, had gone down under a challenge from Emirhan Topçu before the situation escalated.
Furious words were exchanged, and in a moment of anger, Osimhen grabbed the Besiktas defender by the neck of his jersey.
Referee Yasin Kol eventually showed yellow cards to both players, despite Osimhen’s compatriot Wilfred Ndidi stepping in to calm tensions.
According to Duhuliye, the decision has divided opinion sharply among Turkish refereeing figures, many of whom believe Osimhen should have received his marching orders.
Retired referee and police officer Bünyamin Gezer was among the first to criticise the handling of the incident.
“Osimhen’s move on Jurasek earned him a yellow card, and his move on Emirhan earned him a minimum yellow card,” he said. “He should have been sent off for a double yellow card.”
Former assistant referee Bahattin Duran went further, describing the altercation as a straight red.
“The move Osimhen made towards Emirhan was a clear red card. Emirhan should have received a yellow card and Osimhen should have received a red card,” Duran said.
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Victor Osimhen: Allegations of racism emerge amid referee outcry
The debate over officiating has since deepened with allegations that Topçu may have racially abused Osimhen during the encounter. It is a claim that, if proven, could radically alter public perception of the incident.
Images show Wilfred Ndidi intervening during the exchange, reportedly trying to defuse a situation that had clearly spiralled beyond football.
Unverified reports suggest Topçu called Osimhen ‘a black monkey,’ an insult that allegedly sparked the Super Eagles striker’s furious reaction.
So far, neither the Turkish Football Association, UEFA, nor FIFA has confirmed the racism allegations. But the lack of an official statement, more than 48 hours after the match, has left the issue hanging in the air.
Referee pundit Ahmet Çakar also weighed in, saying,
“The position where Osimhen choked his opponent is a clear red card. Galatasaray should have been down to nine men.”
Çakar has been in the headlines recently over his controversial claims about Osimhen’s health. The Turkish pundit reportedly faces legal action from Galatasaray.
FIFA-listed referee Bülent Yıldırım and ex-official Deniz Çoban agreed the Nigerian forward’s conduct merited harsher punishment.
Yıldırım noted, “Osimhen lifted his foot, swung it once, swung it again and made Jurasek fall. He squeezed Emirhan’s throat with intolerable force and violence. Osimhen should see a red card.”
However, with allegations of provocation still under review, the disciplinary outcome, and the broader public conversation, may hinge on whether Emirhan Topçu’s alleged racist remark is proven true.