Jose Mourinho blasts referee for neglecting red-card incident after foul on Bright Osayi-Samuel

Jose Mourinho, head coach of Fenerbahce, has openly criticised the officiating during their recent 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor, particularly after a dangerous tackle on Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Mourinho’s frustration was directed at VAR referee Atilla Karaoglan, whom he accused of neglecting a “clear red card offense” when Osayi-Samuel was recklessly fouled.

In a post-match statement, Mourinho expressed his disappointment with the referee’s inaction, adding that had it been a Fenerbahce player, the official would have likely reacted differently. “We were in control, winning 1-0 when Atilla Karaoglan woke up, because in the first half he was having Turkish tea when there was a clear red card for Bright,” Mourinho remarked. He further suggested that referees hesitate to make calls in Fenerbahce’s favour.

Beyond the specific incidents of this game, Mourinho voiced broader concerns about Turkish football’s appeal, questioning its international reputation: “Nobody abroad wants to watch the Turkish league. Who wants to watch this? They have the Premier League, German, French, Portuguese, and Dutch leagues. Why should they see this?” His comments highlight issues surrounding the quality of officiating and the need to elevate the league’s standards to attract a larger audience.

With Bright Osayi-Samuel being a crucial player for both Fenerbahce and Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Mourinho’s public defence reflects his commitment to his squad and their protection on the field.