Last Friday, Istanbul Basaksehir slipped to a disastrous 1-1 home draw with Sivasspor, a result that almost certainly handed the Turkish Super Lig title to either Galatasaray or Fenerbahce with only two matches to play. Leading 1-0 heading into second half stoppage time, Istanbul Basaksehir goalkeeper Volkan Babacan surrendered this calamitous own goal to doom his club’s title hopes.
İyi mi oldu kötü mü bilemedim pic.twitter.com/EVncEetc47
— Fadıl Vokri (@arjinemin53) May 4, 2018
It was a pretty emotional happening, and Basaksehir midfielder Arda Turan, currently on loan from Barcelona, completely lost his cool in the dying seconds. Turan vehemently argued with a linesman’s decision, and then he shoved the official in the chest. That’s a no no. He was given a red card for his actions.
Arda Turan has a MELTDOWN
Sent off for pushing the linesman in a crucial title race clash pic.twitter.com/RDNCzaEL4J— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) May 4, 2018
Turan has now been handed a 16-game ban for his actions (10 for attacking the AR, three for insulting him and three for threatening him, according to the BBC). He’s also been fined $9,205.
The prime of Turan's career has been very strange. Photo: @thenewsamed | Twitter
Turan is no stranger to extended spells on the sidelines. The Turkish international joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in July of 2015. However, due to a transfer ban on the club, Turan was not eligible to play until January of 2016.
He made 55 appearances for the Catalan giants, scoring 15 goals, before joining Istanbul Basaksehir last January. This was after not appearing in a single match for Barca over the previous five months. Once again, he’s no stranger to long stretches on the sidelines.
He’s also no stranger to picking fights with officials. Like Happy Gilmore before him, he’s the only player to ever take off his shoe and throw it at an AR.
16 game ban for Arda Turan for pushing a linesman. Doesn’t seem the type of person to attack or intimidate an official imo pic.twitter.com/6o9oIttA5N
— LW. (@___LWilliams) May 10, 2018
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