Callaghan Criticizes Referee's Decision on Seker's Handball
Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan expressed strong disapproval of the referee's decision during Turkey's 2-1 victory over Northern Ireland, stating that Turkey striker Busem Seker "had to be sent off" after a controversial handball incident. Seker was only shown a yellow card despite handling the ball on the line before scoring the winning goal.
Michael McArdle's Northern Ireland team was trailing 1-0 late in a quiet first half in Istanbul when the match intensified. Seker handled Fi Morgan's goal-bound shot on the line, prompting referee Alexandra Collin to award a penalty. Northern Ireland players and staff anticipated a red card, but the French official issued only a yellow card, causing frustration among the visitors and Callaghan, who was providing co-commentary for the penultimate World Cup qualifier.
The frustration increased shortly after the restart when Seker scored the winning goal with a header from Selen Altunkulak's cross, securing three crucial points and second place for Turkey in Group B2.
"She has to be sent off for that, she literally saved it with her hand," Callaghan said on BBC .
"It is a blatant handball, I think she thought she was in nets for a second. That is a penalty all day.
"You can see the relief on her face [when she is shown a yellow card]. Absolute madness."
Seker Reflects on the Incident and Turkey's Response
After the match, Seker commented on the handball incident, explaining that she lost her balance during the play leading up to the penalty. She also praised Turkey's resilience following Megan Bell's successful penalty for Northern Ireland.
The goal Seker scored was her eighth for the national team and positions Turkey three points behind group leaders Switzerland, who hold a significantly better goal difference, heading into the final group match.
"I haven't watched the footage properly yet, I'll go and have a look. I had this feeling that someone touched me, I lost my balance and I fell reflexively," said the Fenerbahce striker.
"But I could be wrong, I don't know and I'll watch it now. Unfortunately, we conceded a goal. After they scored that goal, they gained a bit of confidence.
"We stayed calm. We believed we would score the second goal. In the end, we left home with three points."
