Jose Mourinho hits out at VAR in Turkey, insists he would not have joined Fenerbahce if told 'the whole truth'
Updated 04/11/2024 at 10:24 GMT
Jose Mourinho was critical of VAR Atilla Karaoglan after Fenerbahce's dramatic 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor, saying the assistant was too busy "drinking Turkish tea" instead of watching as his side were denied a penalty claim. Mourinho went on to criticise the standard of officiating in Turkey, and said he was not exposed to the "whole truth" ahead of joining the club.
Highlights: Lookman at the double as Atalanta record big win over Serie A leaders Napoli
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jose Mourinho was critical of the officiating in the wake of Fenerbahce's dramatic 3-2 win at Trabzonspor on Sunday, taking aim at VAR Atilla Karaoglan.
Sofyan Amrabat scored in the 12th minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for Fenerbahce, sparking wild celebrations from Mourinho and his coaching staff.
The former Manchester United boss said the build up of emotions came from having to battle against "so many powerful people".
The hosts' two goals came from the penalty spot after VAR interventions, while Fenerbahce were denied a spot-kick six minutes from time after the ball seemingly hit the hand of a defender.
The interventions from Karaoglan upset Mourinho, who told beIN Sports Turkiye after the match that "we don't want him as VAR again", adding that the incident "smells bad" and that his team were fighting against "the system".
"Man of the match, Atilla Karaoglan," Mourinho said. "We didn't see him, but he was the referee.
- 'No matter what happens' - Salah delivers cryptic post amid contract uncertainty
- 'You need to look in the mirror' - Fernandes shoulders partial blame for Ten Hag sacking
- Solanke bags double as Spurs seal big comeback win over Villa
"The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan, so man of the match. He goes from the invisible man to the most important man in the match.
"I think I am speaking on behalf of every Fenerbahce fan, we don't want him again. We don't want him because [it] smells bad. Smells bad, we don't want him.
"I know what I was told even before I came, I didn't believe. It's even worse than I was told, even worse.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/27/4031764-81772928-2560-1440.jpg)
The 'Ones' of Mourinho: From 'Special' at Chelsea to 'Foreign' at Fenerbahce
Video credit: SNTV
"But I prefer to be on this side. It's more difficult, because we play against our opponent, good opponents with lots of good players and historical coach but we play against the system.
"To play against the system is the most difficult thing. Tonight we play against a good team, against a strong atmosphere, against the VAR and against the system.
"So [it was] very hard, that's why we celebrated so much this victory because it's unbelievable to win this match against so many powerful people.
"We are not going to give up, we know what we have, I blame the Fenerbahce people that brought me here, they told me only half of the truth, they didn't tell me the whole truth. If they told me the whole truth, I wouldn't come."
Mourinho's response continued as he felt the officials ignored several claims for his side, including the late penalty shout and a potential red card for a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel.
The two-time UEFA Champions League winner said that VAR Karaoglan was too busy "drinking Turkish tea" to intervene when it came to his side's calls, and called upon Turkish football fans to speak up against the standard of officiating in the country before walking away from the interview.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/06/12/3986908-80913868-2560-1440.png)
20 questions with Mourinho: Favourite trophy won? Best friend in football?
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mourinho said: "Maybe Fenerbahce people, Fenerbahce family. They're more aware of it, because they don't even try to hide.
"Isn't a red card on Bright, Karaoglan was what, drinking coffee at that time, didn't see that red card for that player?
"He was alert to give the two penalty decisions [for Trabzonspor] when the referee didn't give, then was having Turkish tea when it was a clear penalty for us and didn't give it.
"There are only two possible explanations: [he] was sleeping, or drinking his tea and didn't see it.
"So let's have a laugh. In the end, I am working in Turkey, it's not my country. I care because it's my job and my club. If you're Turkish you should care.
"[If] you [are] Turkish, you should speak, you should announce, you should say what is going on year after year after year.
"You should do it, not me. Because then I'm going to be the one under attack, the one the system will criticise. The one the system will try to punish, me, I'm going to be the one the system will try to close my mouth. We are clean."
Fenerbahce sit second in the Super Lig standings, five points below leaders Galatasaray.
Mourinho's side are next in action against AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, live on discovery+.
---
TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement