Former Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin was forced to protect the referee by using himself as a human shield from his own Antalyaspor players after their controversial defeat to Fenerbache.<br /><br />The footballer-turned-manager, who also played for Real Madrid, has been in charge of the Turkish side since 2021, having finished his playing career there.<br /><br />The Antalyaspor players were incensed at full-time by several controversial decisions which saw Sahin's side lose 2-1 to the Super Lig giants.<br /><br />Antalyaspor were denied an equalizer in the 11th minute of added time thanks to a VAR offside call - after ex-Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi had bagged a brace to bring Fenerbache back from 1-0 down at the Antalya Stadium. <br /><br />At the full-time whistle, the infuriated Antalyaspor players tried to question referee Kadir Saglam and his team but manager Sahin rushed onto the pitch to protect them. <br /><br />Sahin was visibly angered by his players and even began pushing them away as they continued to protest with Saglam - while one member of staff appeared to be brandished with a red card.<br /><br />The tension did not stop there, however. After the game, Antalyaspor's board of directors released a statement with the title 'Dark Knight' and branded the referee a 'novice'.<br /><br />'In Turkish football, Sivas and Gaziantep yesterday, Antalya today, is another city where a night will be experienced tomorrow,' it began.<br /><br />'We knew Kadir Sağlam before. In the Kasımpaşa match, we played in the 5th week of this season, tonight's referee Kadir Sağlam was also the one who did not give a red card to Larsson's face in the match against Kasimpasa, but who made up a penalty in the position that went aude, and who was suspended for 4 weeks after this match.<br /><br />'We said we don't want novice referees.<br /><br />'In today's match, the same referee who assisted Fenerbahçe's first goal sought the penalty and made up the offside, despite being stopped by a foul while attacking with Bünyamin while he was ahead 1-0.<br /><br />'We're wondering if there's any offside talk in the VAR recordings. We demand disclosure, we believe that TFF's understanding of transparency requires it.<br /><br />'We are against the order that treats Anatolian clubs to the championship race. We demand justice not only for our community but for all Anatolian clubs.' <br /><br />'We will continue to seek justice for all. Let the VAR records of the Antalyaspor - Fenerbahce match be announced, let's see what a cover is for the operation.' <br /><br />Sahin, 34, made his way around Europe's elite clubs during his career, even enjoying time in England during a loan spell at Liverpool in the 2012,13 season.
