Emre summoned in match-fixing probe

Fenerbahce’s Emre Belozoglu is required to testify as a suspect in the ongoing investigation into match-fixing in Turkish football.

According to Turkish publication Zamen, the former Newcastle and Inter Milan midfielder will be forced to answer questions on allegations that he sent a series of text messages to Ankaragucu defender Kagan Soylemezgiller before the two clubs met in the last match of the season in May.

The messages are reported to have said: “Don’t let my president (Aziz Yildirim) be angry. Don’t play your best game.”

But the Fenerbahce club captain has denied those suggestions, with the messages supposedly sent by the Ahmet Bulut – business partner of his agent Ekrem Okumus – with the approval of the player.

Emre has also been accused of promising a number of Ankaragucu players that he would help them secure a move to Fenerbahce if they did not play in the fixture.

The midfielder’s most recent appearance in front of the media came on Monday, where he admitted the national team was struggling to focus on their Euro 2012 qualifiers with the saga hanging over their heads.

If Emre is found guilty he may join Fenerbahce patron Yildirim and Besiktas coach Tayfur Havutcu in being arrested.