Was there a foul in Mertens’ disallowed goal? Former referees weigh in...

In the 20th week of the Süper Lig, Galatasaray defeated Kayserispor 2-1 at home.

The Yellow-Reds' second goal, scored by Mertens in the first half, was disallowed by referee Atilla Karaoğlan on the grounds of a foul.

On the Trio program broadcast by the official broadcaster beINSports, former referees Bülent Yıldırım, Deniz Çoban, and Bahattin Duran evaluated the controversial incidents of the match.

MERTENS’ GOAL DISALLOWED FOR A FOUL

Bülent Yıldırım: Attamah couldn't decide what to do with the ball. Halil struck his foot, and because Attamah made contact with the ball under his foot, Attamah fell on top of Halil's foot. There is no situation related to a foul whatsoever. This goal should have been awarded. The referee's foul decision is wrong.

Deniz Çoban: The contact is with the ball, not the opponent. The referee may have been mistaken. Why didn't VAR evaluate this opportunity? What reason does the Video Assistant Referee have for not intervening here? There is absolutely no foul. The Video Assistant Referee should have stepped in and allowed the goal. No one could have objected.

Bahattin Duran: Regarding this specific incident, Halil made the most appropriate move he could on the ball and played it after reaching for it in the most correct way. Halil plays the ball first, and there might be slight contact with his opponent's foot afterward. Halil Dervişoğlu wins the ball very cleanly. The procedure applied by Atilla Karaoğlan is correct, but the decision of the referee and VAR is wrong. Even the Kayserispor players were not expecting a foul. I think a legitimate goal was incorrectly disallowed.

(Image taken from beINSports)

KAYSERİSPOR’S PENALTY

Bülent Yıldırım: There is no controversial situation. The VAR decision and the penalty decision are correct. 

Deniz Çoban: No doubt. The penalty decision is correct.

Bahattin Duran: The penalty decision is correct. 

GALATASARAY’S PENALTY

Bülent Yıldırım: I have no doubts about the penalty. Barış Alper was brought down from behind while running for the ball. I think the penalty and the VAR intervention are correct.

Deniz Çoban: Barış Alper is being pulled. It is a penalty. The Video Assistant Referee took the initiative when intervening in this incident. If initiative was to be taken in this match, it should have been taken on the disallowed goal. The player's fall, his feet lifting into the air... I have no doubts about the penalty. While the player is trying to move forward, Hasan Ali pulls him by the arm with his right hand and by the jersey with his left hand.  

Bahattin Duran: This is a matter of opinion. I have my doubts. Hasan Ali definitely makes contact, but I think Barış Alper exaggerated it. The referee's decision is not correct.

News Source: 12punto