Younès Belhanda against PSG in the Galatasaray jersey, in 2019. -

Christophe Ena / AP / SIPA

A brutal end after a tumultuous stay in Turkey: the Moroccan international footballer Younès Belhanda was sacked Wednesday by Galatasaray, a few days after having publicly criticized the leaders of the Istanbul club.

The midfielder's contract was "unilaterally terminated," Galatasaray said in a statement, accusing the player of having "damaged the reputation" of the club and made "insulting remarks" to the club. place of its leaders.

"Words falling under the insult" according to the leaders

After a 2-2 draw in the league against Sivasspor on Sunday, Belhanda had vented his frustration at the microphone of a television channel against the state of the lawn at the Galatasaray stadium.

“The leaders must find a solution.

Even the lawn at our training camp is in better shape.

Instead of being obsessed with Twitter and Instagram, or taking an interest in the media, take care of the ground, ”he said, according to a Turkish translation of his statements.

1️⃣0️⃣ @ynsbelhanda pic.twitter.com/iCw39DSCMd

- Galatasaray Spor Kulübü (@GalatasaraySK) February 7, 2021

These remarks greatly displeased the management of Galatasaray and sparked a lively controversy on social networks among the supporters of the club.

This is not the first time that Belhanda, 31, has found himself in the middle of a storm on the edge of the Bosphorus, with some supporters blaming him for a lack of consistency and commitment.

Sign of the gap that had widened, in 2019, he had been copiously booed by the Turkish public after his replacement during a Champions League match against Real Madrid.

In return, he had insulted the fans.

Born in Avignon (south of France), Belhanda joined Galatasaray in 2017, after a decent season at OGC Nice where he was loaned by Dynamo Kiev.

He made his professional debut in 2009 in Montpellier, where he was one of the key men in the conquest of the title of champion of France 2012.

Sport

PSG-Barça: Between sleepless nights and gaming, the relaxed convalescence that sends Neymar back to his old demons

Sport

Champions League: Another double for Haaland, who smashes Mbappé's record

  • Galatasaray

  • Turkey

  • Soccer

  • Sport