Emre says sorry for gestures at Turkish press box

By Gordon Tynan
Published: 15 September 2007

The Newcastle United midfielder Emre has issued a public apology after his furious tirade at the Turkish media. The 27-year-old made hand gestures and shouted towards the press box after his country's first goal in their 3-0 Euro 2008 qualifier victory over Hungary in Istanbul on Wednesday evening.

Reports from Turkey suggest he had been angered by criticism of national coach Fatih Terim following the 2-2 draw with Malta, as well as stories linking him with a move back to Galatasaray. Emre said: "This action was not for everybody, but only one person in the press – he knows it."

The former Internazionale star returned to Tyneside with a knee injury that is likely to keep him out of Monday night's Premier League trip to Derby County.

In Sao Paulo, meanwhile, the former Colombia international Freddy Rincon, facing an extradition request from Panama over money laundering charges, has been released from prison in Brazil.

Rincon, who played in three World Cups for his country, was granted the right to await the hearing at liberty by Brazil's top court, the Supreme Federal Tribunal. He will have to surrender his passport and cannot leave Sao Paulo, where he lives, without judicial authorisation, a court spokesman said.

Rincon had been held at the federal police's Sao Paulo headquarters since May. Rincon played for Brazilian clubs Corinthians and Palmeiras, as well as Napoli and Real Madrid in Europe. He captained the Corinthians team which won Fifa's inaugural Club World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2000.

The 41-year-old Rincon has been trying to break into coaching and had a brief spell earlier this year with provincial club Sao Bento.

China have appointed former Yugoslavia international Vladimir Petrovic as national coach until after next year's Beijing Olympics, state media reported yesterday.

Former Dalian Shide coach Petrovic signed a one-year contract to replace Zhu Guanghu, who was sacked last month after failing to get China beyond the group stage at the Asian Cup.