Onyekuru Blames Referee For Galatasaray’s Woes

The Yellow-Reds have watched their title hopes take a big blow after picking just one point from a maximum of six since football returned to Turkey last week following a COVID-19 enforced hiatus

Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru has pointed accusing fingers at match officials, insisting they are the reasons Galatasaray failed to win their tie against Gaziantep on Sunday.

Onyekuru started the match at the Turk Telekom Stadium against the visitors who also paraded Nigerian forward Olanrewaju Kayode.

Ten-man Galatasaray came from behind to lead the tie 3-1 until the 78th minute but conceded two late goals to fall behind in the title race.

The hosts received no favours from the referee who showed a straight red card to Ahmet Calik ten minutes into the second half and then awarded Gaziantep a 90th-minute penalty converted by Alexandru Maxim.

An enraged Onyekuru took up issues with the referee after the final whistle and was shown a yellow card for his trouble.

The on-loan Monaco forward believes the match officials were acting out a script against the Lions, having also had a hand in Galatasaray’s 2-0 loss to Rizespor last weekend.

“Do not perceive this as an excuse, but last week and the same this week. We cannot touch the opponent. We get meaningless cards,” the Super Eagles attacker said, as per Fotomac.

“I played in Belgium and France. It was the first time I had such a whistle. We do our best, we go 3-1 ahead, but to some extent. We can play as much as they allow us. We saw the same last week.”

The draw sees coach Fatih Terim’s men drop down to fourth on the Super Liga table eight points behind league leaders Istanbul Basaksehir.