Former Everton and Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o has been dropped by his club, Antalyaspor, after he made claims on social media that people didn’t respect him because of his skin colour.
The heavily decorated attacker has been at the Turkish club since last year and had a brief spell as their player-manager, but has failed to lead his side to any kind of success with just one point from 12 so far this season.
Eto’o has been linked with a move to Turkish rivals Besiktas in recent weeks which triggered a backlash from fans and pundits.
In Turkish alongside a screenshot of his playing record, Eto’o wrote: ‘Reminder – perhaps some people do not feel respect for me because I am black.
But I am not going to come down from the level I have reached. I have been in this game for 18 years.’
A subsequent message from Eto’o clarified that the message was not directed at Antalyaspor chairman Ali Safak Ozturk, but the striker has now been informed he has been omitted from all future squads until the matter is resolved.
Ozturk is quoted in the Turkish media as saying: ‘No player is above the interests of Antalyaspor.
‘Everyone must know their place.’
