KASIMPASA midfielder Kerem Demirbay was bizarrely sent off in the dying minutes of a Turkish League match.
Demirbay, 32, was shown two yellow cards in less than a second while preparing to take a free kick in stoppage time.
Eager to get the ball rolling with his team losing 2-1 to Trabzonspor, Demirbay was booked for dissent as he urged referee Ali Yilmaz, who had held a hand up, to get things moving.
But the former Hoffenheim midfielder continued remonstrating, sarcastically clapping the referee’s decision, which prompted Yilmaz to instantly brandish a second yellow.
Although Demirbay can visibly be seen speaking angrily at the referee, it remains unclear what he said to Yilmaz.
Kasimpasa manager Emre Belozoglu was furious in the post-match press conference, accusing the referee of favouritism.
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Belozoglu, who amassed more than 100 caps during his playing career for Turkey, said: “For the development of Turkish football, the performance of these referees urgently needs to be improved.
“Leaving aside their inability to give red cards, a match shouldn’t be managed this poorly, the game shouldn’t be read this badly. It’s very clear they don’t come from within the world of football.
“They don’t give a red card to Torreira when he steps on the field in the Galatasaray match. They don’t give a red card to Onuachu when he steps on the field. But they give one to Kerem Demirbay.
“If Kerem Demirbay were wearing a Galatasaray jersey, would this red card be so easily given?”
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Former Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho previously claimed referees were against his side as he battled powerhouses Galatasaray for the title.
Mourinho said a year ago: “We are not fighting the opposing team, we are fighting the system. And fighting the system is the hardest thing.”
In October, Turkish football chiefs launched disciplinary proceedings after 152 referees were found to be actively gambling.
An investigation spanning five years revealed that out of the 571 officials operating in the country, 371 had betting accounts.
Demirbay was making his debut for Kasimpasa after signing for his new club two weeks ago.
He first competed in the Champions League with Hoffenheim during the 2018/19 season, before playing for Bayer Leverkusen and later Galatasaray.
The controversial red card has sparked further discourse among Turkish football fans about the impartiality of the league’s officiating.
One fan wrote on X: “The referee deliberately played with the footballer’s nerves. What the hell is the referee doing in front of Kerem?
“If you’re going to draw a line, draw it in front of the ball and then get the f*** away. This is the summary of Turkish referees.”
Another defended the referee’s decision, writing: “Who could possibly know what Kerem said to the referee? Maybe he used harsh words. Just wait and see his report.”
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