Mourinho Lays into ‘Man of the Match’ VAR after Fenerbahce’s Win

 Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)
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Mourinho Lays into ‘Man of the Match’ VAR after Fenerbahce’s Win

 Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)
Joe Mourinho. (AFP via Getty Images)

Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho said the Video Assistant Referee went from being the invisible man to the most important man on the pitch after several controversial decisions went against his side in their 3-2 Super Lig win at Trabzonspor on Sunday.

Trabzonspor were awarded two penalties in the second half following VAR interventions, and with the score tied a 2-2 late in the game Mourinho was incensed when a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel went unpunished.

The Portuguese coach suggested the VAR, Atilla Karaoglan, had missed the incident as he was drinking coffee.

Despite having late penalty claims waved away, the visitors got the win when Sofyan Amrabat scored deep into stoppage time, prompting the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager to race onto the pitch to celebrate with a knee slide.

"The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan, so man of the match," Mourinho told beIN Sports Türkiye.

"He goes from the invisible man to the most important man in the match."

Mourinho said Karaoglan should never be involved in officiating another Fenerbahce game.

"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 said.

"He was alert to give the two penalty decisions (to 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.

"I think I am speaking on behalf of every Fenerbahce fan, we don't want him again."



Al-Sadd Clinches Asian Champions League Playoffs Spot after Beating Al-Nassr

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
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Al-Sadd Clinches Asian Champions League Playoffs Spot after Beating Al-Nassr

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 29, 2024 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second goal with Ali Lajami REUTERS/Stringer

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent when Al-Nassr lost for the first time in the AFC Champions League Elite, to Al-Sadd of Qatar 2-1 on Monday.

Al-Nassr was already guaranteed a place in the round of 16 so Ronaldo, who has five goals in his last three matches, was rested. He watched from the sidelines, The Associated Press reported.
Al-Sadd took the lead through Akram Afif, named the Asian player of the year in November, eight minutes after the break.
While Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca went close for Al-Nassr, an own goal from close range by Romain Saiss made it 1-1 with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Afif was brought down in the area and, in the ninth minute of added time, Algeria’s Adam Ounas converted the penalty.
The win ensured 2011 champion Al-Sadd booked a place in the round of 16, moving into fourth in the 12-team group, a point behind Al-Nassr in third. The top eight from each of the two groups progress to the knockout stage.
“It was a tough and close game,” Al-Sadd coach Felix Sanchez said. “We worked hard to stop Al-Nassr having the ball, and to win at their home stadium. The players showed their character.”
Al-Ahli was first in the group after the Saudi Arabian side was held by Esteghlal of Iran to 2-2.
Ivan Toney scored both goals for the host in Jeddah. Raphael Silva opened the scoring for the Tehran team after 42 minutes but Toney made it 1-1 just before the break from the spot.
Mohammad Hossein Eslami restored Esteghlal’s lead six minutes after the restart but Toney scored his second penalty four minutes from the end, a fourth goal in Asia for the England striker in the space of a week.
Elsewhere, Persepolis of Iran beat Al-Shorta of Iraq 2-1, while Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates drew with Al-Rayyan of Qatar 1-1.