Controversial incident mars Turkish football as Istanbulspor vs. Trabzonspor match abandoned

Turkish football faced yet another controversial incident a week after the league was suspended due to a referee assault. The match between Istanbulspor and Trabzonspor on Tuesday was abandoned in the 73rd minute amid scenes of dispute.

The controversy erupted when Paul Onuachu scored with a header, putting Trabzonspor in a 2-1 lead. However, Istanbulspor’s management contended that Onuachu’s goal should have been disallowed due to an earlier foul in the build-up. In protest against the referee’s decision, Istanbulspor’s management demanded their players leave the pitch.

Despite pleas from Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan and Istanbulspor player Simon Deli, Istanbulspor President Ecmel Faik Sarıalioğlu stood firm. As the match showed no signs of restarting, both teams walked off the pitch in the 73rd minute, leading to the game’s abandonment.

The aftermath of these contentious scenes remains uncertain, and Turkish football authorities are likely to conduct an investigation into the events. This dramatic abandonment adds to the recent troubles in Turkish football, and further chaos and controversy could harm the league’s reputation during a sensitive period. Urgent action may be necessary to prevent additional disruptive episodes.