Turkish football authorities on Thursday banned the country's pro-government player Arda Turan, on loan at Super Lig contenders Basakşehir from Barcelona, for a record 16 games after he shoved and verbally abused a referee.
Turan was banned for 10 matches for attacking the assistant referee, three matches for insulting him and another three matches for threatening him.
The 31-year-old was sent-off after confronting the official towards the end of his side's Super Lig draw with Sivaspor last week. Basakşehir were leading 1-0 at the time but conceded a late equaliser after being reduced to nine men. Turan felt the assistant referee's decision had gone against him and marched up to the official, remonstrating in his face and then shoving him firmly back with both hands.
Currently third in the Super Lig, Başaksehir, with the support of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his AKP government, have risen from obscurity to challenge the traditional Istanbul giants in the last three seasons.
Turan makes no secret of his admiration for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attended his wedding earlier this year.
'TURKEY IS READY FOR EURO 2024'
As a candidate country to host the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, "Turkey has completed all the necessary investments into new stadiums, transportation, hotels and infrastructure," the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has also declared.
"We are ready. The Republic of Turkey has mobilized huge resources for globally distinctive infrastructure projects and stadia investments in accordance with 'Vision 2023' to commemorate its centenary," TFF's pro-government chair Yıldırım Demirören wrote in the UEFA EURO 2024 Bid Brochure, which was submitted to the UEFA on April 26.
"We have supplied all the guarantees and more to maximize the UEFA's revenues … This world-class event not only has the full support of all necessary governmental institutions, but also the backing of the Turkish people," he added.
