‘Deceived the referee’ – Ex-PGMOL chief blasts cheat after analysing Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce penalty footage
Fenerbahce should not have received a penalty during their 2-1 second-leg victory over Nottingham Forest on Thursday.
That is according to former referee Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that Kerem Akturkoglu deceived the referee to win the spot-kick, which he converted in the second half.
The goal put Fenerbahce just one goal behind Forest on aggregate, giving the hosts a scare, before Callum Hudson-Odoi scored midway through the half.
As a result, Forest progressed into the round of 16 of the Europa League as they look to achieve European glory.
Keith Hackett: Fenerbahce should not have been awarded a penalty
The decision to award Fenerbahce was certainly contentious.
Both Jair Cunha and Akturkoglu both went for a loose ball, with the latter star quick to go down in the box.
Despite the contact between the two players’ feet being minimal, the Fenerbahce player was quick to go down in the box, with the referee awarding the spot-kick.
VAR was then quick to confirm the decision, much to the dismay of much of the City Ground, as they came close to blowing their 3-0 lead from the first leg.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett insisted that the penalty should not have been awarded.
He said: “There is frankly a lack of honesty from the player who, in my opinion, has gone to ground far too easily in order to deceive the referee. He has succeeded in achieving this.
“In acts of simulation, we see the attacking player looking for the slightest of contact before going to ground. We also see on occasions the attacker manufacturing contact in order to win penalty kicks.
Vítor Pereira on Forest progressing to the last 16 of the @EuropaLeague. 🗣️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 27, 2026
“Frankly, I would not have awarded a penalty kick for this action by the attacker who clips his own legs to buy the penalty kick.”
- Read more: Lorenzo Lucca’s future already sealed at Nottingham Forest as full stats emerge vs Fenerbahce
Who will Nottingham Forest face in the Europa League round of 16?
Nottingham Forest already know they will face either Real Betis or FC Midtjylland in the round of 16.
Both sides oversaw impressive campaigns in the league phase, only losing one game each.
Forest will have their opponents confirmed on Friday at 12pm when the draw for the round of 16 is made.
The draw will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and Discovery+, while also being livestreamed from the UEFA website and their respective YouTube channels, alongside TNT Sports’.
The ties are set to take place on 12 March for Forest’s home leg and 19 March for the away leg.