Sahin told to find another club after backing Turkey’s military action

St Pauli will release Cenk Sahin after the midfielder’s Instagram post supporting Turkey’s military action in Syria.

The post showed him and other Turkey internationals, after the Euro 2020 qualifying win against Albania, saluting fans in support of the army’s offensive against the Kurdishled Syrian Democratic Forces with the caption “For our nation, especially for the ones who are risking their lives for our nation”.

His club, however, have effectively sacked him – although his contract remains in place while he finds another club – after denouncing the post following an internal review.

“After further talks between club officials and the player, Cenk Sahin has been released from his training and playing duties with immediate effect,” said the Hamburg-based Bundesliga 2 club. “The prime factors in reaching the decisions were his repeated disregard for the club’s values and the need to protect the player.

“After numerous discussions with fans, members and friends whose roots lie in Turkey, it has become clear to us that we cannot and should not attempt to gauge nuances in perceptionsandattitudesfrom other cultural backgrounds in detail. That we reject acts of war is not open to doubt or discussion, however. These acts, and the expression of solidarity with them, run counter to the values of the club.

“FC St Pauli is granting Cenk Sahin permission to train with and play matches for other clubs.”