Gülenist former player Hakan Şükür faces expulsion from Galatasaray
Hakan Şükür, a staunch supporter of Fethullah Gülen, leader of the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ), may be expelled from membership of his former club Galatasaray. The Istanbul-based club decided to take his case to the disciplinary board after a senior club member asked the Lions' administration to cancel Şükür's membership for his support for Gülen after the July 15 coup attempt, which was allegedly done by Gülenists.
Şükür is known as "the King" and "the Bull of the Bosporus" in the Turkish sports world and had a long streak as the top goalscorer in local leagues before he made headlines worldwide with the fastest ever goal in a World Cup in 2002. The 44-year-old Şükür started his career in his hometown, Sakarya, before moving to Bursaspor. His career was at its most prolific when he played for Galatasaray from 1992 and 1995 before a one-year spell at Italy's Torino. He returned to Galatasaray and played for the Lions until 2000 before transfers to Italy and England between 2002 and 2003. He capped his football career in 2008 at Galatasaray and was one of the most prolific strikers in the country with 383 goals throughout his career.
The striker then tried his hand in politics and was elected on a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) ticket. However, he resigned in December 2013, the month when Gülenists elevated their defamation campaign against the government and openly attempted to topple the government.
Like Gülen, who he refers to as "hocaefendi," a honorary title for Islamic scholars, Şükür lives in the United States and abstains attending hearings at Turkish courts where he is on trial for insulting the president on social media. Şükür has openly supported Gülenists who claimed they were not behind the July 15 coup attempt and tweeted Gülen's statements denying involvement.
Although most sports personalities have voiced support for the state against the Gülenist junta that planned the coup, some openly side with the Gülenists. Enes Kanter, a Turkish NBA star that currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, voiced his support and loyalty to the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ) leader Gülen, the prime suspect in the coup plot.
Şükür is known as "the King" and "the Bull of the Bosporus" in the Turkish sports world and had a long streak as the top goalscorer in local leagues before he made headlines worldwide with the fastest ever goal in a World Cup in 2002. The 44-year-old Şükür started his career in his hometown, Sakarya, before moving to Bursaspor. His career was at its most prolific when he played for Galatasaray from 1992 and 1995 before a one-year spell at Italy's Torino. He returned to Galatasaray and played for the Lions until 2000 before transfers to Italy and England between 2002 and 2003. He capped his football career in 2008 at Galatasaray and was one of the most prolific strikers in the country with 383 goals throughout his career.
The striker then tried his hand in politics and was elected on a Justice and Development Party (AK Party) ticket. However, he resigned in December 2013, the month when Gülenists elevated their defamation campaign against the government and openly attempted to topple the government.
Like Gülen, who he refers to as "hocaefendi," a honorary title for Islamic scholars, Şükür lives in the United States and abstains attending hearings at Turkish courts where he is on trial for insulting the president on social media. Şükür has openly supported Gülenists who claimed they were not behind the July 15 coup attempt and tweeted Gülen's statements denying involvement.
Although most sports personalities have voiced support for the state against the Gülenist junta that planned the coup, some openly side with the Gülenists. Enes Kanter, a Turkish NBA star that currently plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, voiced his support and loyalty to the Gülenist Terror Organization (FETÖ) leader Gülen, the prime suspect in the coup plot.