Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has found himself at the centre of controversy in Turkey, following claims that he may have deliberately picked up a suspension ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Nigerian striker, who is expected to link up with the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON in the coming days, has been criticised in sections of the Turkish media after receiving a late yellow card in his club’s Super Lig fixture against Antalyaspor on Saturday.
Osimhen went into the match already under disciplinary pressure, having previously been booked in league games against Beşiktaş, Kocaelispor and Fenerbahçe. His caution in the 85th minute against Antalyaspor proved costly, as it pushed him over the threshold and triggered an automatic one-match suspension.
As a result, the prolific forward will miss his club’s next league encounter against Kasımpaşa. With Osimhen already named in Nigeria’s 28-man squad for the upcoming AFCON, the timing of the ban has raised eyebrows, as the suspension will now be served while he is away on international duty.
According to Turkish publication Gazete Gerçek, the situation may not end with a routine one-match ban. The report claims that Osimhen could be referred to the Turkish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee, known as the PFDK, for further scrutiny over the circumstances surrounding the yellow card.
Under Article 37 of the Turkish disciplinary code, players can be investigated for allegedly “deliberately receiving a yellow card” in order to serve a suspension at a more convenient time. If Osimhen is found guilty of intentionally forcing the booking, the regulations allow for a heavier punishment.
Article 37 states that such an offence could attract an additional two-match suspension, which would significantly extend the striker’s time on the sidelines once he returns from international duty.
Should the Super Eagles make a deep run at the AFCON tournament, the additional punishment could see Osimhen miss several domestic fixtures, including potential matches against İstanbul Başakşehir, Kasımpaşa, Fethiyespor, Trabzonspor and Gaziantep FK.
Neither Osimhen nor his club has officially responded to the allegations, but the situation continues to generate debate in Turkey, especially given the striker’s importance to both club and country at a crucial stage of the season.
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