Turkish VAR director Joao Capela has firmly defended the officials’ call to disallow Paul Onuachu’s early goal in Trabzonspor’s 1-0 loss to Fenerbahçe, Soccernet.ng reports.
Making a public appearance since the incident on September 14, Capelo insists the foul was “clear” and the VAR intervention “absolutely correct.”
The Nigerian striker thought he had put Trabzonspor ahead in the 11th minute at Kadıköy, climbing above Milan Skriniar to head home.
But after reviewing the footage, referee Ozan Ergün annulled the strike, citing an infringement in the build-up.
Capela says there was no room for doubt.
“The VAR intervention for Paul Onuachu’s disallowed goal, due to a foul, is correct,” he explained according to Fanatik.
“Onuachu’s position clearly involved his arm hitting the face. The player who committed the foul here is the same player who scored the goal, which is important to us. You see the contact on the face here.
“Of course, we don’t read the intent. Football isn’t a game of intent, it’s a game of facts. There’s clear evidence. Therefore, the VAR intervention is correct.”
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Will Paul Onuachu be convinced by Capela’s statement?
Capela’s words were a direct rebuttal to Onuachu, who launched a furious tirade against Turkish officiating after the match.
“It’s embarrassing, man, it’s embarrassing, to be honest, they have to do something about this league, it’s a shame. If the whole world sees this, they will laugh at Turkish football,” the 31-year-old said, while also branding the red card shown to teammate Okay Yokuşlu after another VAR check ‘a big shame on the Turkish league.’
Fenerbahçe went on to take the maximum points thanks to a Youssef En-Nesyri strike on the stroke of half-time, snapping Trabzonspor’s unbeaten run and sparking an uproar in Trabzon.
Manager Fatih Tekke admitted the match ‘ended’ when the goal was cancelled, while club president Ertuğrul Doğan said the team considered walking off in protest. Local papers accused officials of ‘thieving in Kadıköy’ and described the night as a ‘document of shame.’
But Capela has taken his stand, stressing that Turkish refereeing would not bow to media and fan pressure. His message was that the system worked.
After six rounds of matches, Trabzonspor currently sit in 5th place, with 11 points earned from three wins, two draws and that controversial defeat against Fenerbahçe.
Onuachu, who already has three league goals this season, will once again lead the attack for Trabzonspor when the club make the trip to face Fatih Karagumruk on Saturday.
