Week 26 concluded with renewed scrutiny over VAR inconsistencies and officiating standards:
*Trabzonspor – Rizespor: A forceful challenge by Papanikolaou on Volekarelli went unpunished by VAR, sparking debate over serious foul play.
* Fatih Karagümrük – Fenerbahçe: A potential penalty for Karagümrük was waved away after Efe appeared to impede a player in the box.
* Samsunspor – Kayserispor: VAR did not intervene in two clear penalty appeals from Samsunspor.
Trabzonspor defeated Çaykur Rizespor 1-0 on March 14, 2026, in a crucial Süper Lig match, leveling their points total with Fenerbahçe. The victory extends Trabzonspor’s winning streak to four games and intensifies the race for second place in the Turkish top flight.
Paul Onuachu scored the decisive goal for Trabzonspor in the 51st minute, capitalizing on an assist from Zubkov. The breakthrough came after a tightly contested first half that ended scoreless. The win brings Trabzonspor to 57 points, matching Fenerbahçe’s tally as the league enters a pivotal stage.
Çaykur Rizespor remains on 30 points after the defeat. Earlier in the match, Taha Şahin had a shot saved by Trabzonspor goalkeeper Onana in the 23rd minute, while Muçi’s free kick was also denied by Rizespor’s Fofana in the 35th. Augusto also tested Fofana with a shot in the 43rd minute.
Following the match, Trabzonspor will travel to face Eyüpspor, while Çaykur Rizespor will host Fatih Karagümrük. The result adds another layer of intrigue to the Süper Lig standings as teams battle for position in the final stretch of the season.
The match also saw controversy surrounding a challenge by Trabzonspor’s Papanikolaou on Rizespor’s Volekarelli, which went unreviewed by VAR. A potential penalty claim for Fatih Karagümrük against Fenerbahçe and two penalty appeals from Samsunspor against Kayserispor also drew scrutiny for a perceived lack of VAR intervention, according to reports.
