A rising football player in Turkey was axed by his club, reportedly over the discovery of a dating app profile.
Super Lig club Besiktas announced it had parted ways with 21-year-old talent Emirhan Delibas, although a reason for the split was not given.
The development came just after photos were posted across social media.
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The screenshots appeared to be of a Bumble account which belonged to, or was posing as, Delibas.
The age given on the profile was 24, rather than 21, but otherwise the information and photos appeared genuine on face value.
One image on the profile featured Delibas wearing a Besiktas jersey and holding a cup of coffee.
“We have parted ways with professional football player Emirhan Delibas by mutual agreement,” a Besiktas statement said.
“We wish him success in his future career.”
It’s been widely reported the club axed Delibas over the dating app profile, although it is unclear why.
Delibas himself moved to deny the profile even belonged to him.
“I reject the slanders made by fake accounts and would like to state that my loyalty to my team cannot be questioned,” he posted on Instagram after the Bumble photos were leaked.
“Besiktas is a responsibility for me. Your love has been my greatest motivation.”
While Delibas played only two Super Lig games with Besiktas he represented the club through junior grades since he was seven years old.
He also represented Turkey from under 17 to under 19 level.
