Italian referee Maurizio Mariani took charge of a tense Europa League encounter between Nottingham Forest and Fenerbahce at the City Ground on Thursday night — and while the tie ultimately swung comfortably in Forest’s favour on aggregate, several officiating calls left supporters frustrated.
Holding a commanding 3–0 lead from the first leg, Forest were expected to manage the contest professionally. Instead, they endured long spells under pressure as Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s early strike gave the visitors belief.
Although Callum Hudson-Odoi’s second-half goal eventually killed the tie, debate over Mariani’s performance quickly followed. Here’s a closer look at three moments that will likely come under scrutiny.
1. Aktürkoğlu’s “Soft” Penalty Decision
The most controversial moment of the night arrived seconds after the restart.
With Forest already looking uneasy, Kerem Aktürkoğlu burst into the area and went down under pressure from Jair Cunha. Mariani pointed to the spot without hesitation.
After a brief VAR review, the penalty was upheld — and Aktürkoğlu calmly converted.
Replays suggested minimal contact. While Cunha did make slight contact, it appeared insufficient to justify the winger’s exaggerated fall. The forward seemed to initiate the tumble rather than being clearly impeded.
In European competition, referees are often instructed to penalise contact inside the box, but this felt like a decision that rewarded clever forward play rather than a genuine foul.
Had Hudson-Odoi not restored control later in the half, that moment could have transformed a comfortable aggregate position into genuine panic.
2. Hutchinson Breakaway Halted Too Easily
Momentum matters in knockout football — and in the 64th minute, Forest briefly had it.
Omari Hutchinson robbed Archie Brown near the edge of the Fenerbahçe area and looked poised to drive into a clear scoring opportunity. Instead, Mariani halted play for a foul in Brown’s favour.
There were hands on the defender’s back, but once again, the decision appeared soft. Brown seemed to anticipate contact and went down under minimal pressure.
Forest players reacted angrily, sensing a promising chance had been denied. Given Hutchinson’s trajectory and space ahead, it was a moment that could have led to a decisive second goal much earlier.
Instead, it disrupted rhythm and handed possession back to Fenerbahçe at a crucial point in the match.
3. Lorenzo Lucca’s Physicality Penalised
Striker Lorenzo Lucca endured a frustrating first half.
While his yellow card for a clear challenge was justified, the broader officiating approach toward him felt inconsistent. On multiple occasions, Lucca rose highest to contest aerial duels only for free kicks to be awarded against him.
It appeared as though his physical dominance was interpreted as aggression rather than strength.
Tall, aerial forwards often walk a fine line in European competitions, where referees are quick to penalise perceived use of arms or upper-body leverage. But the cumulative effect of repeated whistles went beyond standard interpretation.
By the time Lucca entered the book, it felt as though he was being judged on reputation or physical profile rather than individual incidents.
To be clear, his overall performance can be debated — but the officiating certainly limited his influence.
Managing the Tie Despite the Whistle
Forest will not lose sleep over refereeing debates. Over two legs, they progressed comfortably. Vitor Pereira’s decision to rotate heavily in the second leg added to the nervy atmosphere, but the aggregate cushion ultimately proved decisive.
Still, European knockout games hinge on fine margins. In tighter contests, soft penalties and halted transitions can have season-defining consequences.
Mariani’s display was not disastrous — but nor was it convincing. The pattern of marginal decisions consistently favouring Fenerbahçe created frustration in the stands and on the pitch.
For Forest, the positive takeaway is resilience. Even amid questionable calls and rising tension, they found the moment that settled the tie.
For Mariani, it was a reminder that in high-stakes European fixtures, every whistle carries weight.