Besiktas Blast 'Disgraceful' Officiating After Trossard Slapped in 1-0 Loss

Besiktas fell 1-0 to Alanyaspor as Leandro Trossard was slapped in the face by Fidan Aliti without any disciplinary action taken by officials.

Alanyaspor defeated Besiktas 1-0 in a Super Lig fixture marked by a controversial off-the-ball incident involving Leandro Trossard. The 32-year-old Belgian international, making his second appearance for the Black Eagles since transferring from Arsenal, was struck in the face by Alanyaspor defender Fidan Aliti. Despite the physical contact, which replays confirmed as a slap, referee Adnan Deniz Kayatepe and VAR official Bulent Birincioglu opted not to issue a red card or any other form of punishment to Aliti.

Besiktas currently sit 11th in the league table with three points following the result. This follows their opening match of the campaign, a 1-0 victory against Eyupspor where Václav Cerný scored the decisive goal. Trossard’s debut in that initial fixture was marked by a yellow card, contrasting with the lack of officiating intervention during the Alanyaspor defeat. The club has now recorded one win and one loss across their first two matches of the domestic season.

Official Club Statement and Referee Criticism

Following the final whistle, Besiktas released a scathing statement on X, formerly Twitter, labeling the officiating performance a "document of shame for Turkish refereeing." The club specifically targeted Adnan Deniz Kayatepe, describing him as a "malicious" official and the "prince of the Central Referee Committee president." The statement referenced Kayatepe’s history, citing "scandalous decisions" during the previous year’s Ziraat Turkish Cup semi-final that remain fresh in the memories of the management.

The club expressed shock that the VAR room remained silent while the opponent slapped Trossard "right in front of the world's eyes." The management emphasized that they are not seeking privileges or advantages but are demanding fair and equal officiating. They vowed to continue a "rightful struggle" until the current system undergoes significant changes, explicitly stating they do not want Kayatepe or Birincioğlu assigned to their matches in the future.

Trossard Reacts to Non-Call

Leandro Trossard expressed his dismay and anger regarding the lack of a red card for Fidan Aliti. The former Arsenal winger stated that the decision should have clearly been changed by the officiating crew, noting that he was slapped and the incident warranted an immediate dismissal. Trossard went down during the off-the-ball sequence, forcing a review that ultimately resulted in no action being taken against the Alanyaspor player.

The match officials, led by Kayatepe on the field and Birincioglu in the VAR booth, have faced intense scrutiny for the oversight. The incident occurred as Trossard continues to adjust to life in Türkiye following his high-profile move from the Premier League. The loss leaves Besiktas looking to regain momentum after their narrow win on the opening day.

Season Statistics and Context

Through two games, Besiktas has scored one goal and conceded one goal. Václav Cerný remains the only goalscorer for the club this season, having secured the three points against Eyupspor. Trossard has yet to record a goal or an assist in his first two Super Lig performances, though he has already accumulated one booking. The club remains focused on addressing the perceived injustices in the refereeing system as they navigate the early stages of the league calendar.