Fenerbahçe captain Emre shows support for Egypt's Morsi with gesture

KONYA

Fenerbahçe captain Emre makes a ‘Rabia’ gesture after scoring a goal. DHA photo

Fenerbahçe captain Emre Belözoğlu showed his support for ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi with a gesture in a goal celebration as his team suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Torku Konyaspor in the two teams’ Spor Toto Super League opener on Aug. 17.

Emre scored the second goal for his team against Konyaspor from the penalty spot and then simply celebrated his goal by making a “four” gesture with his hand. The gesture, which is called “Rabia” as a reference to the protests in Rabaa al-Adawiyah Square and translates as “four” or “fourth,” has been used by Morsi supporters during the Cairo protests.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has been a staunch critic of the military coup in Egypt, made the gesture in a rally earlier that day.

Also on Aug. 17, Sercan Kaya of Çaykur Rizespor celebrated with a “Rabia” gesture, after scoring the winner against Gençlerbirliği.

However, Emre’s goal was not enough for victory for Fener.

Nigerian defender Joseph Yobo opened the scoring for Fenerbahçe early in the game, and the lead was doubled by Emre later in the first half.

But the Central Anatolian side remained defiant and clawed their way back to victory with Tomas Borek, Ali Çamdalı and Recep Aydın scoring three goals to cap a shock opening week defeat for the visitors, while giving a big start to the top flight for the hosts.

Elsewhere, goals from veterans Lomana LuaLua and Gökhan Ünal were enough for Kardemir Karabükspor, who survived the drop on the last day of last season, to beat Kasımpaşa 2-0.

On the opening day of the season, Antalyaspor and Kayseri Erciyesspor played out a 0-0 draw on Aug. 16.

Tonight, defending champion Galatasaray hosts Gaziantepspor, while Kayserispor takes on Sivasspor to complete the first week of the season.