Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk did not hold back following a frustrating 2-2 draw against Eyüpspor, calling out the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), the referees, and even the opposing goalkeeper for what he perceived as unfair tactics and officiating.

Speaking after the match, Buruk, whose team dropped two critical points, expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s management of the game. “We did a great job considering we played just three days ago. We created enough chances to win 5-1,” Buruk stated. However, he criticized the opposition for wasting time and accused the referee of failing to maintain control. “Our opponent spent most of the match on the ground. The referee should have shown his strength, but instead, he allowed this to continue. Every time we got into a position, two players were on the ground. They did everything to disrupt us.”

Keeper and Scheduling Under Fire
Okan Buruk also turned his frustration toward Eyüpspor’s goalkeeper, Berke Özer, both for his time-wasting and his outstanding performance. “I congratulate Berke for his saves, but he spent so much time lying on the ground or taking water breaks—eight times on the bench! The referee should have acted and given him a card much earlier,” Buruk said.

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The Galatasaray coach also criticized the scheduling of the match, which gave his players little time to rest. “We could have had at least one more day of rest. There were no midweek matches, yet we played on Monday. The broadcaster was used as an excuse, but even they didn’t request such a schedule. This lack of support is disappointing for Turkish teams aiming for success.”

Disappointment and Referee Concerns
Buruk did not hide his growing disappointment with what he perceives as systemic issues. “As the reigning champions for two seasons, we expect the spotlight to be on us, but the referee and VAR appointments add to the tension. It felt like the referee was under pressure throughout the game, which affected the flow.”

Galatasaray, still a dominant force in Turkish football, will undoubtedly look to bounce back, but Okan Buruk’s pointed remarks signal ongoing frustrations with the league’s handling of key matches.