The on-loan Barcelona forward will miss the Superlig run-in and almost half of next season after a scandalous incident in his native Turkey
On-loan Barcelona striker Arda Turan has received a record 16-match ban in Turkey after pushing a linesman in a moment of madness at the weekend.
Turan, 31, was released to Superlig side Basaksehir in January in a two-and-a-half season temporary deal having failed to impress at Camp Nou since moving from Atletico Madrid in 2016.
Signed to reinforce the Istanbul club in their bid for their first title in their history, he has made a total of 11 appearances to date, scoring on two occasions.
But in a 1-1 draw against Sivasspor Turan became incensed at the failure to award a foul, and channelled his rage at a linesman.
The player remonstrated furiously with the official, before shoving him and walking away. Unsurprisingly he was immediately issued a red card, and and the Turkish FA's disciplinary board have backed the decision by handing down the longest ban in the nation's football history.
Arda's ban means that he will miss Basaksehir's last two games of the 2017-18 season, with the club trailing leaders Galatasaray by two points.
He will additionally be barred from playing the first 14 games of 2018-19, almost half of the campaign.
Basaksehir's coach Abdullah Avci had nevertheless defended his wayward star in the aftermath of the incident.
"These things are part of the game. We can't be bothered by the thoughts of those who write on social media, people that we don't even know," Avci fired when questioned by reporters after the game.
"It's not easy when you lead the league race so long and then have a result like that. The anxiety can get to you."
It is not the first time Arda has attracted controversy since moving back to his native Turkey.
In March the player threatened to "crush" a journalist's head and eyes when he and his wife were interrupted at dinner by the reporter's questions.
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jeersure
174
Crazy to think that 3 years ago or something he was loved by literally every single person in the country.
bigfcber
146
I can't wait to see his press conference. "You see, I'm a MAN. And grown MEN react to referee mistakes like this. I pushed him, yes, because I'm a MAN. Did I tell you that I was a MAN?"
thereforer
145
Has a player ever fell from grace as spectacularly as him?
sinekps
78
15 match ban is too redicules how can the FA explain this to football I am imploring FIFA to watch and see if this is the law of football been dispense in turkey I am pleading with the authority to revert there dicision please for the love of football in the globe
Nigeria1110427
36
If this kind of punitive measure is not taken to put in check footballers who can not control their ill and hot tempers we shall soon see this snowballing into not just committal of batteries on referees and opposing players but maiming and aiming to kill them. It is absolutely necessary to take actions aimed at putting the excesses of such persons under control. This beautiful game of football should not be a do or die affairs. And for somebody of Turan's experience that kind of reaction was completely out of place.It should be discouraged.