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BARCELONA

Arda, axed from Turkey camp, says he has retired from the national team

EFE reports that the Barcelona striker was involved in a discussion and had a run-in with a reporter for publishing information on the bonuses the team received at the Euros.

Update:
Arda, axed from Turkey camp, says he has retired from the national team
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELADIARIO AS

Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan has been expelled from the Turkey national team camp after being involved in an affray with a reporter on the team plane. Turkey coach Fatih Terim took the decision on Tuesday to kick the player out for the aggression, CNNTürk reports.

Arda calls time on international career

This afternoon, Arda gave a press conference in which he stated that he is retiring from international football.

The incident occurred on the plane which was carrying the Turkey team to Trieste, Italy after their friendly against Macedonia in Skopje when Turan spotted sports journalist, Bilal Mese. According to Turkish daily Hürriyet, Turan accused Mese of writing lies about him and the other players; he grabbed the reporter by the neck and struck him while hurling insults.

The player criticized Mese for an article published last year in which he wrote that several national team players, among them Turan, had asked for more money which had caused a rupture within the group.

Turan later said that he could accept criticism for his performances on the football pitch but will not tolerate those who insult his honour or his family. "I am grateful to the journalists who criticize my football, that's a profession, it's normal. But I won't allow attacks on my family or my values".

The Turkish association of sports journalists reproached the player, considering verbal and physical aggression as "totally unacceptable - for whatever motive".

Turan has been part of Turkey's national team since making his debut in 2006, he was the captain and apart from making over 90 senior appearances for the team, he is one of the most admired sportsmen in the country.

Arda, axed from Turkey camp, says he has retired from the national team
Arda