UCL: Galatasaray manager, Buruk backs referee's decision on Osimhen's penalty

Galatasaray manager, Okan Buruk has backed the referee's decision to reverse a penalty that was initially awarded to his team during their 4-2 win against Lille in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The penalty was initially awarded after Osimhen went down following a challenge by Lille goalkeeper Berke Özer, but VAR intervened, prompting the referee to reverse the decision. Buruk described the decision as correct, despite the controversy surrounding the incident.

Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen thought he had secured a penalty for the Turkish champions during the opening period after Lille goalkeeper, Berke Özer made physical contact with him while attempting to clear the ball.

Referee, Rade Obrenović initially signaled for a penalty, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened, leading the official to examine and overturn his original decision.

Osimhen subsequently scored his first Champions League goal in the second half.

Following the match, Buruk described the reversal of the penalty as the appropriate decision, while voicing his dissatisfaction regarding previous refereeing performance in the Sporting encounter.

"I will say this because you asked. In the Sporting match, there was a very bad referee and VAR referee," Buruk stated via Sondakika.

"Today, there was a good referee and VAR referee. The cancellation of our penalty today was the correct decision."

The Galatasaray manager further criticized the failure to award a penalty and issue a red card in the Sporting match, which he believed was instrumental to their defeat.

"However, in the Sporting match, there was a penalty that wasn't given and a red card that wasn't given.

"We lost to Sporting due to a significant refereeing mistake in a match where we demonstrated excellent performance. Today, following the 2-1 score, we responded promptly," he continued.

Meanwhile, Osimhen will be satisfied to have concluded his recent scoring drought after not finding the net against Barcelona and Gençlerbirliği.