10.02.2026 09:20
In the 21st week of the Super League, the penalty awarded in the match where Fenerbahçe defeated Gençlerbirliği 3-1 was criticized by former referees. Former referees Deniz Çoban, Bülent Yıldırım, and Bahattin Duran, speaking on the Trio program, stated that the penalty decision and the VAR intervention were incorrect.
In the 21st week of the Super League, Fenerbahçe defeated Gençlerbirliği 3-1 at home. The goals that brought victory to the yellow-blues were scored by Anderson Talisca from a penalty and Kerem Aktürkoğlu. Gençlerbirliği's only goal came from Sekou Koita. After the match, the decisions of the referee Ali Şansalan sparked controversy.
PENALTY POSITION DISCUSSED IN TRIO
In the Trio program aired on the broadcasting channel, former referees Deniz Çoban, Bülent Yıldırım, and Bahattin Duran evaluated the penalty position won by Fenerbahçe.
BÜLENT YILDIRIM: NO PENALTY
Bülent Yıldırım stated that the position did not suggest a penalty, saying, "I absolutely do not accept VAR intervention for such a vague position. The video referee intervenes in provable violations. There is an unnecessary intervention here. The referee chose the easy way and awarded a penalty. I wish he hadn't. There is no penalty."
DENİZ ÇOBAN: VAR INTERVENTION IS ALSO WRONG
Deniz Çoban criticized both the VAR process and the decision, stating, "Handball is up to the referee's interpretation. There is a wrong VAR intervention and a wrong viewing. Ali Şansalan should have watched this position for at least 40 seconds. There is no chance for the player to see the ball hitting his hand or to avoid it. I can't find any criteria for handball. Both the VAR intervention and the penalty decision are wrong."
BAHATTİN DURAN: THIS IS NOT A PENALTY
Bahattin Duran also clearly opposed the position in his evaluation, stating, "Both the VAR intervention and the referee's decision are wrong. This is not a penalty."