June 17 – When Turkey take on Spain today looking for salvation in their attempt to remain at Euro 2016, arguably the country’s biggest ever footballing star was on trial in absentia in an Istanbul court on charges of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on social media.
Hakan Sukur is one of several thousand people including journalists and politicians to face legal proceedings.
Sukur was one of the stars of Turkey’s third place finish at the 2002 World Cup and his lawyer told the court that his client had moved to the United States.
According to Turkish media, Sukur had accused Erdogan of theft in a tweet in February 2015, without naming him directly. Prosecutors have asked in the indictment for Sukur to serve up to four years in jail.
Sukur, whose career stretched from 1987-2007, was by far the most prolific goalscorer in the history of the Turkish national side, finding the net 51 times in 112 appearances.
His goal after just 11 seconds of play against South Korea in 2002 remains the fastest in World Cup history.
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