(Video) "I'm not leaving": Midfielder refuses substitution during first-half of 3-1 defeat

27.02.26 FT Super Lig Turkey

Trabzonspor

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Fatih Karagumruk

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Matias Kranevitter caused controversy after refusing to be substituted during Fatih Karagümrük’s league defeat to Trabzonspor.

Unusual scene in Turkey

Former Atletico Madrid & Sevilla midfielder Matias Kranevitter found himself at the center of attention on Friday after unusual incident in Turkish Super Lig.

Now playing for Fatih Karagümrük, the Argentine midfielder refused to leave the pitch when his coach decided to substitute him during the away match against Trabzonspor which ended in 3-1 defeat for Karagümrük.

Substitution refused mid-match

Kranevitter appeared to feel discomfort during the game prompting head coach Stanislav Stanojevic to replace him in the 33 minute. However the 32 year-old clearly rejected the decision signaling that he was fit to continue playing.

Television footage showed the player making gestures to stay on the pitch even after the referee approached him to discuss the situation.

As a result, Berkay Ozcan who was set to come on as substitute was forced to return to the bench.

Coach accepts the situation

Stanojevic did not insist on the change at that moment. He apologized to Ozcan before sending him back to his seat and Kranevitter continued the match.

The planned substitution was eventually made later in second half.

The incident quickly spread on social media and raised questions about discipline and communication within the team especially as Fatih Karagümrük are currently bottom of the league table after their promotion this season.

No official statement was released by the club after the match, leaving uncertainty about how the situation will be handled internally.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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