TURKISH INTERNATIONAL EMRE Belözoğlu could face a two-year prison sentence after Istanbul prosecutors requested a jail term for an alleged racist slur against a rival, local press reported in Turkey on Thursday.
Prosecutors are looking for a sentence of between six months and two years against the former Newcastle player, accused of racially insulting Trabzonspor’s Didier Zokora during a Turkish league match last April.
The 32-year-old was suspended for two matches for allegedly calling Zokora a “dirty negro”, becoming the first player to be punished under a new law aimed at ridding sport of racism.
Emre, who now plays for Spanish club Atletico Madrid, will be judged under a criminal code which punishes violence in sport including racist insults.
The midfielder apologised for his language.
“In the heat of the moment sometimes you say bad things. I used a stupid word … I want to apologise.” he said.
Emre was also accused of racially abusing former Everton players Joleon Lescott and Tim Howard during his time at Newcastle in 2007, which resulted in his decision to leave the English Premier League.
(C) AFP, 2012
