Jose Mourinho Criticizes Refereeing Standards After Fenerbahce’s Dramatic Win

Jose Mourinho has voiced his discontent with the refereeing standards in Turkey following a thrilling 3-2 victory for his Fenerbahce side against Trabzonspor, capped by a dramatic 102nd-minute winner from Sofyan Amrabat.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham manager expressed his frustration over Trabzonspor being awarded two penalties, both confirmed after video assistant referee (VAR) reviews.

He also believed Fenerbahce should have received a penalty prior to Amrabat’s late goal.

In a candid interview with beIN Sports, Mourinho did not hold back in his criticism of referee Oguzhan Cakir and VAR official Atilla Karaoglan. “I blame the Fenerbahce people who brought me here,” he said. “They only told me half of the truth. If they had given me the full picture, I wouldn’t have come.”

Mourinho elaborated on his grievances, stating, “Karaoglan was quick to award the two penalties that the referee missed, but when it was a clear penalty for us, he seemed to be having Turkish tea and didn’t give it.”

Despite the controversy, Fenerbahce’s win propelled them to second place in the Turkish Süper Lig, five points behind leaders Galatasaray.

“The man of the match was Atilla Karaoglan,” Mourinho quipped. “We didn’t see him, but he was the one controlling the match. The referee was just a minor presence on the pitch; the real referee was Karaoglan. He transformed from the invisible man to the most significant figure in the game.”

Mourinho concluded with a strong message: “I believe I speak for every Fenerbahce fan when I say we don’t want him back—neither on the pitch nor as VAR.”