As reported by L’Équipe, former PSG, Lille and Bordeaux midfielder Younousse Sankharé’s stay in Turkey has taken a turn for the worse. Speaking to L’Équipe via phone, the player said: “I’m in my car to charge my phone because the electricity and internet have been taken away from me in my accommodation. I don’t feel safe at all.”
Six months after joining promoted Turkish club Giresunspor, the 32-year-old former Senegal international has played just eight games and is being ostracised by the club, as Sankharé explained:
“I started the first match after barely a week of training, but the coach subbed me because we took a red card. No problem, but there was no explanation either. Afterward, I realised that the coach is not counting on me despite the club doing everything to get me to sign. They started to leave me out but I took my pain patiently. Then they started giving me fines for everything and anything, without speaking to me. Then they asked me to lower my salary.”
One such fine – a full month’s pay – was supposedly given due to the player missing a physio session, which Sankharé says was due to illness and that his agent had informed the club ahead of time. Giresunspor were then contacted by the player’s lawyer, Saïd Harir, who served two formal notices, both went unanswered. “We could see that the club wanted to separate from [Sankharé] and were doing everything to drive him crazy… The disguised goal is not to pay his salary,” said Harir.
Sankharé rejected the chance to leave in the January transfer window “in view of my situation, personal and financial, not being settled” after his wages for December and January were not paid while the club asked him to return his house and car. “They use all possible means to pressure me,” the midfielder said while explaining that the Giresunspor club president threatened to give his address to supporters in the phone call just yesterday, saying: “‘Now, if something happens to you, it will not be my problem,’” before hanging up.
“I distrust everything, I go everywhere with fear in my stomach,” Sankharé said. “I’ve advised him to stay in public places, and never be alone. We also made contact with the embassy,” Harir continued, “they act as if Younousse no longer exists.”