Emenike sues Turkish newspaper

Emenike’s form is attracting the attentions of Turkish league leaders Fenerbahce

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike has begun legal proceedings against Turkish newspaper “Haber Turk”.

The move follows an article on Wednesday which alleged that the player was seven years older than he claims.

The Karabükspor player has been incensed by the claim that he “is actually 31 and not 24 as it appears on his passport.”

Emenike’s agent Erdem Konyar has begun legal action against the newspaper and other media which published the claims.

Emenike is currently being lined up to join Fenerbahce in a $14.5m deal at the end of the season.

“The statements made by various Turkish newspapers are entirely false. It is utterly disappointing that such events can take place,” Konyar told BBC Sport.

“Legal proceedings have started as this article is not only misleading, it is also malicious.

“As the agent of Emmanuel Emenike, I will personally pursue this subject until I clear the name of the player and I. This is a serious matter and will be dealt with with the most professional and accurate approach.

Konyar, who is claiming “unlimited damages”, is also expected to pursue the matter with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and football’s world governing body Fifa.

A furious Emenike told BBC Sport that the story has embarrassed him and his employers, and cast a shadow over his honesty.

“This vicious accusation will not go unpunished,” Emenike told BBC Sport on Friday.

“I feel very bad about this situation and so does my agent and the president of my club.

“This is the same country where a journalist wrote that I came to Turkey on a boat, while another incredulously said I was starving – this time around they have gone too far.”

The man at the centre of the storm, Emenike, has watched his stock rise in Turkey after only two years in the country.

Relatively unknown back home, the striker starred in South Africa for Mpumalanga Black Aces and FC Cape Town before joining Kardemir Karabükspor in the Turkish second division in 2009.

On the back of his 16 goals last season, Karabükspor won promotion to the top flight and he is now into double figures this season as his side lie eighth in the table.

Last November, the TFF expressed their interest in persuaing Emenike to play for the Turkish national team.

But Siasia, in need of a prolific goalscorer, met him shortly afterwards and was able to convince the player to play for Nigeria instead.

The powerful forward eventually made his Super Eagles’ debut in February’s 2-1 friendly win over Sierra Leone.