Soccer
Galatasaray have launched legal proceedings against former referee and sports pundit Ahmet Çakar following his sensational claim that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is suffering from a ‘serious health problem’, Soccernet.ng reports.
Çakar, 63, made the allegations on Beyaz TV’s Derin Futbol programme, in comments reported by Turkish outlet Gsgazete.
The outspoken doctor and broadcaster said he had “received information from the Ministry of Health regarding Victor Osimhen’s illness,” adding that he preferred not to discuss details “as a sportsman and father.”
He had previously been more dramatic about the issue. When writing on his social media page late in September, Çakar reportedly said:
“This is a very sad day for me. Unfortunately, I have received information that Osimhen has a very serious health problem. I hope this is not true.”
Çakar further alleged that he had spoken with Galatasaray’s club doctor, Yener İnce, who had told him that 4–5 black players in the Super League have this illness, and Osimhen’s test is “negative.”
The former referee, who has often courted controversy in Turkish media, went on to claim that “Galatasaray officials are also aware of this situation” and that “some countries need to know about certain illnesses.”
Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli in the summer, is currently with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in South Africa preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic. The 26-year-old has made no comment.
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Soccer Galatasaray respond swiftly with legal action
Galatasaray have reacted firmly to Çakar’s claims, believing them to be baseless, damaging, and crafted with malicious intent.
According to Turkish journalist Süleyman Rodop2, the club’s management has filed formal complaints with the courts, the Ministry of Health and Turkey’s media regulator, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).
Club insiders say the allegations have angered both management and the medical department, who view them as a direct attack on the integrity of the club and its medical professionals.
Despite the storm in Istanbul, Osimhen remains focused on international duty. The forward recently returned from a minor chin injury and scored in Galatasaray’s Champions League win over Liverpool before featuring in the 1–1 derby draw with Besiktas.
The former Lille man is expected to lead the attack for Nigeria when the Super Eagles take on Lesotho on October 10 and four days later when the three-time African champions trade tackles with Benin Republic in Uyo.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns into a ball of passion when writing about Nigerian football and its talents, whether rising stars or established legends, locally and abroad.
From the deepest corners of the Middle East, to the green fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the rich soils of Africa, Imhons is more than glad, usually with a glass of a tasty drink nearby, to capture the essence of the game, by connecting the dots between culture, identity, and football.
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