Former Europa League winner drives an Uber in USA after being exiled from Turkey

Former Europa League winner drives an Uber in the USA after being exiled by Erdogan’s government in Tukey; wealth reportedly seized. 

Former Turkish striker Hakan Sukur who also had won a Europa League, had decorated years  with Inter Milan and Blackburn is now forced to drive an Uber in the United States.

The footballer turned politician revealed in a recent interview about his predicament with German publication, Welt am Sonntag, the 48-year-old explained how difficult his life has been since he was accused of participating in a failed coup.

“I have nothing left, Erdogan took everything: my right to liberty, freedom of expression and right to work,” Sukur is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

Sukur, who scored 51 goals in 112 appearances for his country, joined Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2011 but quit two years later due to a reported conflict of opinions.

“Nobody seems able to explain what my role in this coup was supposed to be. I never did anything illegal, I am not a traitor or a terrorist. “I might be an enemy [of] this government, but not the state or the Turkish nation. I love my country.

“After the split with Erdogan, I started to receive threats. My wife’s shop was attacked, my children were harassed, my father put in prison and all my assets confiscated.

“So I moved to the United States, initially running a cafe in California, but strange people kept coming into the bar. Now I drive for Uber and I sell books.”

Also read: Barcelona starts inserting ‘Anti-Pique’ clause in new players’ contract

The former Turkish International is still in the memories of the national team fans. His pivotal role in Turkey’s attack at the World Cup 2002 in Japan and South Korea, guided them to a third-placed finish.

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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