Some supporters have risen in defense of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen after a tense on-field fight with Emirhan Topçu during a heated Turkish Super Lig Istanbul derby on Saturday.
Tempers rose at RAMS Park as Osimhen and Topçu collided during Galatasaray’s 1-1 tie with Beşiktaş.
The incident occurred in the 39th minute, when Osimhen appeared to be fouled during an aerial tackle, but referee Yasin Kol waved play on. Frustrated by the ruling, the Nigerian forward rushed Topçu and appeared to grip him by the neck before players from both teams stepped in to settle the tension.
The incident has subsequently caused heated debate among fans and commentators. While some chastised Osimhen for losing his cool, others justified his conduct, claiming that he was provoked and that his fierce emotion was a reflection of his competitive nature.
In Osimhen’s defense, Thoysquare wrote on X, “Zlatan punched teammates, Balotelli fought coaches, and Suarez bit humans, and they still played for elite clubs. If you think attitude is why no big team wants him, you’re not watching football; you’re watching a fantasy league in your head.”
Suggesting that the striker may have been racially abused, Emmanuel Nnechi said, “We are quick to judge and condemn the victim for reacting to an ugly, racial slur while sparing the offender.”
Escanor added, “He lost his temper because it’s similar to the foul that made him have to wear a mask every game. Probably got flashbacks and lost his head.”
Josh named some other top stars who have been involved in similar brawls, saying, “Pepe almost sent Messi to his early grave, Zidane head-butted Materazzi, Gatusso shoved the Tottenham manager, Cantona kicked a fan during a match, Hazard kicked a ball boy in the chest, Lee Boyer and Kieron Dyer (teammates) exchanged blows during a match, and Luis Suarez bit Ivanovic,but when it comes to Osimhen, you all started wailing,” he wrote.
For David-Leo Alabi, he tweeted, “Osimhen’s only ‘crime’ is playing with raw emotion in a sport that keeps pretending to be civilized while celebrating chaos. Football fans love passion until it’s an African showing it. Then suddenly it’s “terrible attitude.”
He added, “You see a Black striker shouting back, they see ‘temper.’ But when it’s European, it becomes ‘competitive spirit.’
“Yes, self-control matters. But let’s not act like football isn’t built on ego, adrenaline, and pride. If Osimhen walks away silent, they’ll call him weak. If he defends himself, he’s “out of order.
“He’s not perfect, but let’s stop confusing personality with indiscipline. The same fire that wins games sometimes burns hot. You don’t want hunger and hate the heat.”
Lamemzys stated, “Ramos, Diego Costa, Casemiro, and Atletico Madrid players all did worse. Suarez even bit someone; Zidane head-butted.”
“It’s common with all footballers; most of the top players have done worse and are still celebrated till today. You just want to tarnish a talented Black guy’s image for nothing, someone that worked hard to get to where he is today,” Vikel wrote.
The draw halted Galatasaray’s flawless start to the Turkish Super Lig season, which saw them win all seven of their first league games.
