A REFEREE issued the most bizarre red card after a highly unusual incident that saw him getting trolled in Turkey.
Ilker Yasin Avcı blew his whistle for last time on Sunday following the Turkish second-division match between Genclerbirligi and Sakaryaspor.
That was when Sakarayaspor ace Murat Cem Akpınar, who plays on loan from Trabzonspor, approached the ref and extended his arm to seemingly shake his hand.
And just when the official was ready to return the favour – in what he thought was an act of sportsmanship – Akpinar pulled his hand away.
That enraged Avci who immediately reached into his pocket and whipped out a yellow card.
That was the midfielder’s second booking of the night and it ultimately led to a red card.
Fans were divided on social media as some thought the Turkish ace deserved to be sent off as he was “disrespectful” but others argued the referee was just being a little too bitter.
One fan tweeted: “IS THERE REALLY SUCH A RULE?”
Another commented: “He deserved it.”
A third wondered: “What happened?”
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This fan said: “Since when is that a red card?”
And that one wrote: “I was going to ask if there is such an application, but the football player was disrespectful.”
Genclerbirligi won 3-1 at home and Sakaryaspor were left unhappy with Avci’s officiating.
The visitors’ chief Semih Ciftci and technical manager Turgay Karslı criticised the official and the linesman after the game.
Ciftci said: “The referees were very malicious. There was a penalty in the second half. We say, ‘Let them show the position on VAR’.
“The referee said, ‘No! Don’t talk or I’ll give you a yellow card’. Also, the linesmen threatened us and did not let us talk. They give a yellow card to anyone who objects.
“They are threatening speeches on the field. We cannot express ourselves.
“In the position for the second goal, the opponent player takes [Rajko] Rotman down to the ground as if wrestling. How can they not see this? It’s incredible, we can’t understand it.
“We could not understand these decisions of the referees. How do these happen, and on what basis are these decisions made? Let these be explained and let them tell us.
“Let’s say ‘thank you’ and be content with our rights. But we will not remain silent this way.”
