Fenerbahce reject rumours that Nigerian international Emenike suffered racist abuse [divider]
Fenerbahçe have released a statement confirming that a twitter account posing as Emmanuel Emenike and claiming to be a victim of racist abuse is indeed fake.
The twitter account in question has since been suspended for impersonating the Nigerian international the club have revealed.
The statement read: “Due to the some news that have been caused by unreal posts from some fake accounts on the name of Emmanuel Emenike on Twitter, it has been considered necessary to make this statement.”
“Our player Emmanuel Emenike’s official twitter account is @E29EMENIKE. Please do not consider other fake accounts.”
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Kick It Out – the organisation aimed at combatting racism in football – also shared the statement on their official website.
Emenike has come under fire from sections of the Turkish press and fans for his goal record this season. The Nigerian international has only scored four goals over the league campaign.
The 28-year-old started in the Istanbul derby against Beşiktaş but missed a great chance early in the first half to put Fenerbahçe ahead and was heckled by the the home supporters afterwards.
Emenike took off his shirt and stormed off the pitch in protest of his own fans criticising him but Fenerbahçe head coach Ismail Kartal convinced him to return to the game.
Fenerbahçe have three African players, Moussa Sow, Pierre Webo and Emenike. The club was the first Turkish side to appoint a black manager in 1972. Brazilian legend Didi managed the Yellow Canaries between 1972-75 and club legend Alex de Souza is also Brazilian.
Racism directed towards black players is rare in Turkey, racist chanting isn’t a part of Turkish fan culture and there are no supporter groups linked to Neo-Nazi ideologies or movements.
