Fenerbahçe leaves its problem child out

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Temperamental midfielder Emre Belözoğlu has a reputation for being the problem child of Turkish football.

Turkish international midfielder Emre Belözoğlu was left out of the Fenerbahçe squad yesterday following a reported fight with a teammate.

The 31-year-old midfielder was announced to have been left out of the squad, which will face Trabzonspor in a crucial Spor Toto Super League match this weekend, following a dressing-room fight with Brazilian Cristian Baroni following the team’s 2-0 win over Bursaspor on Dec. 12, Anatolia news agency reported.

Declining to comment on the issue, Emre said the “decision was very new” and “would make a statement later if needed.”

The decision, which was taken by the Fenerbahçe board, comes at a time when Fenerbahçe is trying to continue its title defense with a limited squad.

Limited squad
The Istanbul team is at the center of a gripping match-fixing investigation, which saw Chairman Aziz Yıldırım and four club officials jailed pending trial. The team lost three forwards, Mamadou Niang, Emmanuel Emenike and Daniel Güiza, along with winger Andre Santos and defender Diego Lugano following a Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decision to bar the team from the Champions League.

Emre, who has a reputation for being the problem child of Turkish football, was involved in a dressing-room fight with Mario Jardel before leaving Galatasaray for Inter Milan in 2001. He is known for his temperamental attitude toward rivals and referees.

Emre also made a profane gesture toward the press stands during a national team game in 2007. The same year Emre was charged with racially abusing Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard while playing for Newcastle, but he was cleared of charges.