Was the decision to play on during Rizespor's penalty appeal correct? Former referees analyzed the controversial moments of the Çaykur Rizespor - Fenerbahçe match on Trio...

Fenerbahçe, which defeated Çaykur Rizespor 3-1 away in the 26th week of the Süper Lig, has risen to the top of the table with a game in hand.

Tensions ran high in the final moments of the match, where the pitch conditions were at the forefront due to the heavy rainfall in Rize.

Former referees Bülent Yıldırım, Deniz Çoban, and Bahattin Duran discussed the controversial moments of the Çaykur Rizespor - Fenerbahçe match on the Trio program broadcast on beINSports.

Here are the comments from the former referees;

IS THE FOUL COMMITTED BY MUAMMER ON SZYMANSKI A RED CARD?

Bülent Yıldırım: This is a challenge on the edge. It is very forceful. There is no ball in the middle. If it had landed squarely on the ankle, I would say it is 100 percent a red card. I would never say no if the referee had shown a red card. There is ruthlessness, he is showing his studs from above, he is bringing his foot down with force, there is no good intention at all, and no chance of playing the ball. Looking at it from a VAR technique perspective, the footage I have shows it is a 100 percent red card; it is not a scene where the referee's heart would sink if he were called to the monitor. This is a red card on the pitch. Arda Kardeşler was alerted, either by the team or from here, and they had him show a yellow card. Muammer is protesting the yellow; if the referee had shown a red card, no one could say anything. If the referee had seen this, he would have shown a red card.

Deniz Çoban: We cannot say that the player's action and intention were good and innocent. The contact occurs after Szymanski has passed the ball. At the time of the intervention, the ball is 4 meters away. The Rizespor player comes in a way that pushes the limits; there is violence in his approach, he comes from a high position, and he makes an injurious move. He comes in with a rush from above and steps on the Fenerbahçe player's foot. A deformity occurs on the Fenerbahçe player's foot. Fortunately, his foot escapes from there and doesn't get stuck. The leg is tense from the knee, he comes from high up and steps on him. The point of contact is close to the shoe. VAR stays out of this. This is a red card on the pitch. It has nothing to do with the ball, he is coming in ruthlessly, he is coming in to injure, you are stepping on someone when the ball is 4 meters away. There is no such thing as 'this is a yellow card because he stepped on the shoe.' This is a red card.

Bahattin Duran: In terms of VAR technique, it cannot intervene. There are elements that would call it a 100 percent red card, and there are elements that would call it a yellow card. From this perspective, the top of the shoe is visible. If it were a little higher, it would be an undisputed red card, and we would say VAR should intervene. The ball is gone, it has nothing to do with the ball. It would have been better if he had given a red card; the more correct decision was a red card.

THE POSITION WHERE RİZESPOR EXPECTED A PENALTY

Bülent Yıldırım: Number 4 is controlling Djiku with his hand, while Djiku is also controlling his opponent Emirhan in front of him. Emirhan's feet are on the ground. If he were in the air, we could talk about something else. His feet have met the ground. As soon as he feels the contact, he will throw himself forward. There is no such penalty. I think the decision to play on is correct. I also congratulate the referee for not being misled.

Deniz Çoban: He is not using his hands like a piston. For example, when you look from here, you would call this a penalty. It looks like that, but he has only placed his hand. He just puts his hand like this. As my colleague Bülent said, both feet are on the ground. The decision to play on is correct.

Bahattin Duran: For me, the slight hand contact Djiku made to the Rizespor player in front of him to take position is not a penalty. In fact, during the match, after the player threw himself to the ground like that, I checked to see if the ball hit Djiku's open arm. The ball comes from his back to the Rizespor player behind him. The ball does not hit Djiku's hand or arm here. Therefore, I find the referee's decision to play on correct.

THE FOUL SHELVEY COMMITTED ON SERDAR DURSUN

Bülent Yıldırım: If the referee had shown a red card, no one would criticize it. What reduces the violence here and makes it look lower is that the pitch is slippery. If you jumped like this on a dry pitch, it would be a direct red card. This is serious foul play. Studs, knee... The speed is also high. His foot hits the opponent first. This is not a standard approach. Shelvey needs to control himself. It is very dangerous.

Deniz Çoban: A red card would be harsh; it is an uncontrolled approach.

Bahattin Duran: An uncontrolled approach. A red card would be harsh.

ARE THE REFEREE'S CARD DECISIONS CORRECT DURING THE TENSION IN THE FINAL MOMENTS?

Bülent Yıldırım: Rizespor player Halil İbrahim Pehlivan, who entered the fray while Mert Hakan was trying to protect Oosterwolde, made a clear red-card-worthy move. He grabbed Mert Hakan by the throat, pushed him, swept him, and pulled him. Halil İbrahim should have seen a red card.

Deniz Çoban: Halil İbrahim Pehlivan makes a red-card-worthy move. Why doesn't VAR intervene?

Bahattin Duran: Halil İbrahim Pehlivan should have been sent off.

(Footage taken from beINSports)

News Source: 12punto