Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce ref watch: Three decisions Maurizio Mariani got wrong

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Credit: Imago / Fenerbahce YouTube Nottingham Forest vs Fenerbahce ref watch: Three decisions Maurizio Mariani got wrong Thu 26 February 2026 21:59, UK Maurizio Mariani was the man in the middle as Nottingham Forest and Fenerbahce clashed in a very interesting Europa League tie.Following a 3-0 win in the round of 32 first leg, Vitor Pereira named a much-changed starting lineup, and the differences were clear as the Reds struggled for any real momentum on Thursday, 26 February.Kerem Akturkoglu opened the scoring after just 22 minutes, with the nerves building at the City Ground, and those nerves only got worse as the Turkish giants pushed for more away from home.Forest would finally relieve some of that pressure through a Callum Hudson-Odoi strike with just over 20 minutes remaining, and that put the aggregate result completely out of sight for the visitors.Despite the home win, there were still some questionable decisions from referee Mariani.Read more: This is what stunned Vitor Pereira in the first leg vs Fenerbahce. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Kerem Akturkoglu wins a very soft penaltyAfter Akturkoglu opened the scoring in the first half, just seconds into the second half, the winger had already won his side a penalty, going down under pressure from Jair Cunha.Of course, the Turkish international slotted the spot-kick away after a VAR check, but upon watching replays, it appeared to be a very soft decision in Fenerbahce’s favour.It could have had huge ramifications had it not been for Hudson-Odoi’s much-needed goal.Maurizio Mariani tricked by Archie BrownIn the 64th minute, Omari Hutchinson was about to break into the Fenerbahce penalty area, having stolen the ball off Archie Brown, only for the referee to blow his whistle.While there were two hands on the back of Brown, it was yet another soft decision that went in Fenerbahce’s favour, and one that destroyed some rare momentum for the home side.Hutchinson likely would have buried his chance had he made it past the full-back, but the referee bought the act of simulation instead.Read more: This is what Keith Wyness is hearing about Edu Gaspar’s potential exit.Lorenzo Lucca treated unfairly in difficult first halfThere was absolutely no arguing about the challenge that saw Lorenzo Lucca pick up his yellow card.However, it can be argued that Mariani only cautioned him after a build-up of fouls during the first half, but it felt as though the striker was punished for being stronger in the air.On more than one occasion, the loanee had risen highest in an attempt to win the ball, only for a free-kick to be awarded against him, so he can feel hard done by regarding the referee.His performance, though, is a completely different situation.