Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku faced racist abuse following an accidental clash with Besiktas player Bahtiyar Zaynutdinov during a Turkish Super Lig match between Istanbul Basaksehir and Besiktas.
In a battle for possession, Zaynutdinov attempted to intercept Opoku from behind, resulting in an unintentional elbow from Opoku.
The referee’s decision to penalise Zaynutdinov instead of Opoku sparked anger among Besiktas fans, leading to racist chants and comments targeting the Ghanaian defender.
Compounding the situation, Zaynutdinov sustained significant injuries to his eye and nose, forcing him to exit the game.
The incident intensified on-field tensions and escalated fan dissatisfaction.
Despite the controversy, Besiktas secured a 1-0 victory, with Opoku’s fellow countryman, Daniel Amartey, delivering an outstanding performance for the Eagles throughout the match.