Arda Turan Must Face Severest Punishment, Says Journalists' Union

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The Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS) has demanded that football player Arda Turan, who assaulted Milliyet newspaper’s sports reporter Bilal Meşe on a plane after the friendly game played between Turkey and Macedonia, be severely punished.

In the statement posted on Twitter, the TGS said, “Arda Turan who assaulted and insulted doyen journalist Bilal Meşe must face the severest punishment. We don’t want disrespectful sports people!”.

"I don't regret"

Arda Turan held a press conference concerning the incident at 5 p.m. today (June 6).

Press members other than the agencies didn't attend the conference.

Announcing that he ended his national team career, Turan said that he didn't regret and he felt eased.

Kicked out of National Team squad

According to a report by NTV Spor, it was announced that Arda Turan was kicked out of the national team squad ahead of the world cup preliminary game with Kosovo.

What happened?

“Tell me Bilal Meşe, were you there? Were you with us there? Who did we ask for money? Who did we ask for premium? I ask here, who made you write these? Who are telling you these?

“This country is like this! They’ve taken you onto this plane. Of course they do. I also address those who let you onto this plane. Fuck those people who took a bastard like you onto this plane”.

Turan allegedly gripped Meşe’s throat while saying these words.

Turan was referring to stories reported in the Turkish media during the national team’s European Championship last year.

Meşe said that he is going to bring a lawsuit against Turan. (EKN/TK)