Kayserispor forward Stéphane Bahoken was at the center of controversy during a tumultuous Süper Lig match against Sivasspor on Saturday.
The former Ligue 1 striker, known for his time with Nice, Strasbourg, and Angers, was sent off after an extraordinary incident involving a slap directed at his own teammate.
The chaotic moment unfolded in the 23rd minute, with Kayserispor already trailing 2-0, one of the goals being an own goal.
Frustration boiled over after a foul involving Bahoken and teammate Carlos Cardoso, who had sandwiched a Sivasspor player.
A heated exchange followed, culminating in Bahoken slapping the Portuguese defender.
Though the clash initially seemed to escape the attention of most players, the referee intervened decisively, issuing a straight red card to Bahoken.
The dismissal left both teams and onlookers stunned.
The match went from bad to worse for Kayserispor, who ended up suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat.
Adding to the misery, the team was reduced to nine men after another red card late in the game.
❌ Bellona Kayserispor’da takım arkadaşı Miguel Cardoso’ya fiziksel müdahalede bulunan Stephane Bahoken, kırmızı kart ile oyun dışında kaldı.#SVSvKAY #beINSPORTS pic.twitter.com/FAqhPiXXII
— beIN SPORTS Türkiye (@beINSPORTS_TR) January 25, 2025
The fallout from the match extended beyond the pitch.
Sitting precariously in 17th place in the Süper Lig standings, Kayserispor’s management decided to dismiss their coach in the aftermath of the loss, highlighting the growing turmoil within the club.
The incident and its repercussions mark a low point for both Bahoken and Kayserispor, as the team struggles to navigate an increasingly difficult season.
