Turkey won on Saturday with 6–1 away against Bulgaria in Sofia, but when the squad landed in Istanbul, goalkeeper Berke Özer chose to leave the training facility and returned to his French club Lille.
According to the Turkish Football Association, Özer himself stated that the reason was that he was not selected for the match squad against Bulgaria by national team coach Vincenzo Montella. The association writes that Özer left without permission.
Özer is credited with two A-international matches, both friendly matches this summer. He has not been included in any match squad in the World Championship qualification so far.
Turkey has six points after three played matches and meets Georgia (three points) at home on Tuesday. Group E is topped by Spain with maximum nine points. Bulgaria is last with zero points.
The group winner advances directly to the World Championship in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next summer. The second place will play playoff in March.
