TURKISH police have arrested a young Nigerian footballer because of his failure to notify authorities on entering the country that he is a carrier of the AIDS virus.
Francis Okwudili Aneke, 19, who was arrested in an Istanbul hotel, also loses his place in the line-up of Turkish first division side Istanbulspor, the club said.
Aneke arrived in Turkey several weeks ago on trial with Istanbulspor, but failed to notify them or authorities that he has AIDS, club director Adnan Sezgin said.
After signing the young player, described as “promising”, he underwent screening for AIDS after rumours spread about his condition.
Under Turkish law anyone arriving in the country must have a stamp on their passport if they are a carrier of any infectious diseases.
Istanbulspor confirmed Thursday that they have decided not to continue with Aneke’s contract.