16.10.2026 10:10
After Fenerbahçe's 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa, a striking claim emerged regarding Marco Asensio's absence from the matchday squad. It was alleged that the Spanish star, upon learning he would be left on the bench, put his foot down and refused to be included in the squad despite the club officials' attempts to persuade him. The details of his heated meeting with Oğuz Çetin before the match also drew attention.
In the UEFA Champions League, after Fenerbahçe lost 6-0 away to Aston Villa, a striking claim was put forward about the behind-the-scenes reason for Marco Asensio being removed from the squad before the match. It was alleged that the Spanish footballer, whom the yellow-navy club announced had not been included in the squad as a precaution due to injury, reacted to the decision after learning he would be on the bench.
HE REFUSED TO PLAY WHEN HE LEARNED HE WOULD BE ON THE BENCH
According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, Marco Asensio reacted strongly when he learned that he would not be in the starting eleven against Aston Villa. It was claimed that the Spanish star preferred not to be in the match squad at all rather than sit on the bench.
THE REASON OĞUZ ÇETİN POINTED TO HIS KNEE
Hours before the match, a heated conversation between Fenerbahçe Football Director Oğuz Çetin and Marco Asensio was captured by the cameras of the club's television channel FBTV.
In the footage, Oğuz Çetin's pointing to his knee during the conversation drew attention. The report claimed that Çetin emphasized the risk of injury to his knee in order to persuade Asensio to remain on the bench.
CLUB OFFICIALS ALSO FAILED TO PERSUADE HIM
According to the claim, Asensio, who became angry after learning he would start on the bench, decided not to be in the match squad. It was stated that club officials also stepped in and tried to persuade the Spanish footballer, but Asensio did not back down from his decision.
FENERBAHÇE HAD ISSUED AN INJURY STATEMENT
In its official statement before the Aston Villa match regarding Marco Asensio's absence from the squad, Fenerbahçe Club used the following statements:
“As a result of the blow he received in the last match, a reaction was detected in Marco Asensio's knee area. Taking into account the program that foresees a gradual increase in Marco Asensio's match minutes after rehabilitation, it was decided that he would not be included in the squad as a precaution.”
No confirmation has yet been made regarding the claim of a refusal to play that emerged after the club's official statement.