EUROPE > British media blame Manchester United’s loss on Turkish referee Cüneyt Çakır

LONDON

Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir (2L) shows Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Nani (3R) the red card to send him off during the UEFA Champions League game. AFP Photo

British newspapers were unanimous yesterday to slam Turkish referee Cüneyt Çakır, who was seen as the reason Manchester United lost 2-1 at home in its Champions League tie against Real Madrid after Nani was sent off for catching Alvaro Arbeloa in the chest.

The Daily Telegraph headlined its coverage “Cheated”, focusing on Çakır’s decision to send off Nani when most observers had expected a yellow card at worst.

“This was a good game ruined by a bad referee,” wrote the Telegraph, saying it was a “terrible decision.”

Daily Mail, meanwhile, noted that “the the 36-year-old has not refereed a single game without booking someone all year,” recalling the six yellow cards Çakır showed in the Spor Toto Super League game between Akhisar Municipality and Elazığspor March 2. The paper also found it worthy to note that Çakır “follows both Real Madrid and star player Cristiano Ronaldo on Twitter.”

The Times said the sending-off had seemed “extremely harsh” because it came after United had taken a 1-0 lead and a 2-1 lead overall in the tie.

“For a time, this had seemed to be shaping into one of Ferguson’s great triumphs, but it ended up as an addition to a litany of Champions League hard-luck stories -- Borussia Dortmund in 1997, Bayer Leverkusen in 2002, Porto in 2004 and Bayern Munich in 2010 -- and this one seemed to bring a genuine cause for grievance.”

Under a photograph of Ferguson jabbing an angry finger in the referee’s direction, The Sun’s headline was “Broken - Fergie distraught after Nani red card KO’s Utd.”

All the papers highlighted that Ferguson had been too incensed by the decision to speak to reporters afterwards.

Assistant manager Mike Phelan instead issued the only public reaction to a night that marked Ryan Giggs’ 1000th professional match.

Phelan said Giggs’ landmark match and a “great performance was marred by one decision” by the referee.

March/06/2013

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shmack shmack

3/7/2013 10:18:30 PM

It's cute how paid Israeli commentators jump at every chance to bash Turkey. They are getting more and more desperate! :)

Ata Dizdar

3/7/2013 12:40:30 AM

I think everyone in Europe finally realized just how horrid Turkish referees are. If people in Turkey are saying that Cakir is the best they have, then the standard is horrifically low. After seeing the replay of the call, there was no way that should have been a red. Very few people are saying the card was legitimate. Congrats Cakir, you've put another black stain on soccer in Turkey.

The Prisoner

3/6/2013 8:16:08 PM

Having watching amateurish referees in Turkiye for over 10 years, I wonder it took so long for the rest of the footballing community to realise how bad Turkish referees are! No lover of MUFC by the way, in fact quite the opposite.

ebby m

3/6/2013 7:26:52 PM

Imagine the comments for the same case, if thei referee would be Israeli and give a red card against a Turkish team.

DutchTurk JANICAR

3/6/2013 7:10:39 PM

A Kung Fu Kick is for sure a red card, no matter what his intention was. After de Jong Kung Fu Kick the entire world screamed for a red card, now the referee shows a red card (in a stadium with 70 000 United fans) and people complain. I side with ManU legend Roy Keane (who also thinks it's a red card), rather unfortunate way to be kicked out but, was a dangerous play and red card is acceptable.

Tekion Particle

3/6/2013 6:13:27 PM

Nani had no chance reaching the ball so why was he doing a karate kick. It was a dangerous tackle and it was a red card, get over it.

John McAuliffe

3/6/2013 5:41:20 PM

Mr Cakir is an excellent referee regardless og this incident and I agree with his decision. For a team like Mabchester United to blame the loss on a referee is ludicrous. This was a dangerous tackle. He consulted with the other referees and made his decision. He was on the pitch unlike all the armchair experts. Real was better in every aspect of the game as the match statistics clearly show. At the end of the day it was Rial who scored all three goals in this match !

kaz ali

3/6/2013 4:13:41 PM

I cant believe how arrogant you english are to think you should have won the game, you see ferguson rattling his finger do you not know its all properganda and did you not w=see him stiring up the crowds earlier. He actually took some time to give the red card because he confired with his linesman then gave it, nani went in with boots and studs much too high unlucky! even roy keane said the decission was correct and he was an exceptional player and a football manager so who are you guys???

Agnostic Turk

3/6/2013 3:03:44 PM

What I can't understand is, after repeatedly watching the incident on video, there is so much controversy among even professional referees on whether or not it should have been a red card, yet people dare to excommunicate Cuneyt Cakir, who had only a glimpse of the position and only once and had to make a decision right away at the scene! Cakir performance was average, not superb; he missed two key penalty positions. But one cannot and shall not criticize him for the red card position.

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