: Jose Mourinho criticizes VAR after Fenerbahce's victory over Trabzonspor

Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, stating that it transformed from being the "invisible man" to the most crucial figure on the pitch during their 3-2 Super Lig victory over Trabzonspor on Nov 3rd. The coach was dissatisfied with multiple contentious decisions that went against his team during the match.

Trabzonspor were awarded two penalties in the second half following VAR interventions, and with the score tied at 2-2 late in the game Mourinho was incensed when a challenge on Bright Osayi-Samuel went unpunished.

The Portuguese coach suggested the VAR, Atilla Karaoglan, had missed the incident as he was drinking coffee.

Despite having late penalty claims waved away, the visitors got the win when Sofyan Amrabat scored deep into stoppage time, prompting the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager to race onto the pitch to celebrate with a knee slide.

“The referee was just a little boy that was there on the pitch, but the referee was Atilla Karaoglan, so man of the match,” Mourinho told beIN Sports Turkiye.

“He goes from the invisible man to the most important man in the match.”

Mourinho said Karaoglan should never be involved in officiating another Fenerbahce game. He had been the man in black for their home Super Lig clash against Galatasaray on Sept 21.

“Isn’t a red card (for the foul on) on Bright, Karaoglan was what, drinking coffee at that time, didn’t see that red card for that player?” he said.

“He was alert to give the two penalty decisions (to Trabzonspor) when the referee didn’t give, then was having Turkish tea when it was a clear penalty for us and didn’t give it.

“I think I am speaking on behalf of every Fenerbahce fan, we don’t want him again.”

Fenerbahce’s win cut the gap to Super Lig leaders (28) to five points after 10 games.

On Oct 24, Mourinho was at his sarcastic best, congratulating the referee who sent him off after a heated dispute following a penalty appeal as “one of the best in the world”.

He claimed that French referee Clement Turpin, in the 1-1 Europa League home draw with former side Manchester United, was monitoring his behaviour while simultaneously following the match.

“The referee told me something incredible. He said at the same time he could see the action in the box and my behaviour on the touchline,” the 61-year-old told TNT Sports.

“I congratulate him because he is absolutely incredible.

“During the game, 100 miles per hour, he had one eye on the penalty situation and one eye on my behaviour on the bench.

“That is why he is one of the best referees in the world.”