UCL: Galatasaray Manager Buruk Backs Referee’s Decision On Osimhen’s Penalty

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has backed the referee’s decision to overturn a penalty initially awarded to his team during their 4-2 victory over Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen believed he had won a penalty in the first half after Lille goalkeeper Berke Özer made physical contact with him while attempting to clear the ball. Referee Rade Obrenović initially pointed to the spot before a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review led him to reverse the decision.

Despite the disappointment, Osimhen later found the net in the second half, scoring his first Champions League goal and helping Galatasaray secure an important victory.

Speaking after the match, Buruk described the decision to cancel the penalty as correct but criticised the officiating in Galatasaray’s previous encounter against Sporting, which ended in defeat.

“I will say this because you asked. In the Sporting match, there was a very bad referee and VAR referee,” Buruk said, according to Sondakika.

He continued: “Today, there was a good referee and VAR referee. The cancellation of our penalty today was the correct decision,” making it clear that he accepted the officials’ decision against Lille.

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However, the Turkish coach maintained that Galatasaray had been denied a clear penalty and a red card in the Sporting match, arguing that those decisions significantly affected the outcome.

“However, in the Sporting match, there was a penalty that wasn’t given and a red card that wasn’t given. We lost to Sporting due to a significant refereeing mistake in a match where we demonstrated excellent performance. Today, following the 2-1 score, we responded promptly,” Buruk added. Osimhen will also welcome ending his recent scoring drought after failing to score against Barcelona and Gençlerbirliği.