Barcelona’s Turkish midfielder Turan could be jailed for 12 years

ISTANBUL

Turkish pop singer Berkay (L) with his wife, and footballer Arda Turan

Turkish prosecutors charged Barcelona footballer Arda Turan over a brawl with prominent singer Berkay Şahin, asking for a prison sentence of 12.5 years on Oct. 15. 

The prosecutors charged Turan, who is currently on loan to Istanbul’s Başakşehir, with sexual harassment, unlicensed possession of weapons and causing intentional injury over the fight with Şahin, state-run Anadolu Agency said.

The attacking midfielder testified to the police on Oct. 11 after he broke the pop singer’s nose at a night club in Istanbul the previous day.

On her social media accounts, Berkay’s wife Özlem Şahin said Turan had harassed her in the night club with sexually suggestive remarks and headbutted her husband during the ensuing fight.

Turan was also accused of going to the hospital where Berkay was being treated and firing his gun there.

The footballer was released after police interrogation but his gun was seized by the police.

The couple repeated their accusations to the police despite Turan’s claim that the dispute was settled.

Turan’s own wife, who has been pregnant for 8.5 months, said she stood by her husband despite allegations.

If he is convicted for a jail sentence longer than two years, the Turkish Football Federation can legally ban Turan from football for life.

This is not the first time the footballer, who is known for his spells of success at Galatasaray and Atletico Madrid, is under fire for erratic behavior amid his colorful night life.

In addition to widely-criticized red cards he has received in his career, Turan has also been slammed off the pitch several times.

He has been previously blasted for assaulting teammates and opponents, security personnel, a senior journalist, as well as threatening referees and fans and insulting trainers and club managers.