Wilfred Ndidi has criticised officiating in the Turkish Süper Lig following Beşiktaş’s 1-0 defeat to Fenerbahçe in a heated Istanbul derby on Sunday, April 5.

The Super Eagles midfielder, who anchored the visitors’ midfield at the Chobani Stadium, was left frustrated after a controversial late penalty decided a tightly contested encounter with significant implications in the title race.

Fenerbahçe entered the match trailing league leaders Galatasaray by four points, adding further intensity to a fixture already defined by fierce rivalry.

Both sides struggled to create clear chances in the opening exchanges, with the first half ending goalless despite sustained pressure from the hosts.

The tension continued after the break, and Fenerbahçe thought they had taken the lead in the 56th minute through Gökhan Sazdağı, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

With the game seemingly heading towards a stalemate, the decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when referee Yasin Kol awarded a penalty in the 101st minute.

The decision followed a challenge by Emmanuel Agbadou on Dorgeles Nené, with replays suggesting the defender had made contact with the ball before any follow-through. Despite the presence of the video assistant referee, the on-field decision stood without a review.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu converted from the spot to seal victory for the hosts, sparking protests from Beşiktaş players, including Ndidi.

The Nigerian international later took to social media to question the officiating process and the use of VAR in the incident.

“How can you have VAR and decide not to check? I’m still trying to understand,” he wrote on his Instagram story.

Ndidi’s frustration was compounded by his own disciplinary setback, having received his fourth booking of the season for a foul on Matteo Guendouzi in the 52nd minute, which rules him out of Beşiktaş’s next league fixture against Antalyaspor.

The midfielder has been a consistent performer for the club this season, registering two goals and one assist in 25 appearances.

The result represents a significant boost for Fenerbahçe’s title ambitions, while raising further questions over officiating standards in high-stakes fixtures within Turkish football.