Former Arsenal winger Leandro Trossard is incensed about a major refereeing decision taken in his team’s league game against Alanyaspor.
In Besiktas’ 1-0 loss to Alanyaspor, Trossard got slapped in the face by Alanyaspor’s Fidan Alithi in an off the ball incident. (Scroll down to watch video)
Trossard and Besiktas believed Alithi deserved to be sent off but even after a VAR review, Alithi was not dismissed from the game.
Referee Adnan Deniz Kayatepe and Bulent Birincioglu, who was on VAR duties, were the targets of Trossard’s post-game rant.
“The decision should clearly have been changed; I think the opponent slapped me. Clear red card. The decision needed to be changed” Trossard said.

In a post on the club’s X page, Besiktas delivered a similar harsh tone in their review of the game officials’ by stating,

“The management displayed by the referees in our match against Corendon Alanyaspor has taken its place in history as a document of shame for Turkish refereeing.”
Trossard joined Besiktas this offseason after winning the English Premier League title with Arsenal.
I have watched this like 100times and the Alanyaspor captain clearly slapped Trossard intentionally! Like hot slap! This is Assault!
The Referee didn’t even check VAR! No red card was given!
Turkish League referees are Horrible set of people! Nonsense! pic.twitter.com/9g1vhgY9Pm
— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) August 23, 2026









