Fener fiasco

Keeper Enke leaves Turkish giant after one match

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) -- German goalkeeper Robert Enke came, he played one match, but he couldn't conquer Istanbul's demanding Fenerbahce fans. Only two weeks after joining the team on a loan from Barcelona, Enke has left, apparently amid pressure from frustrated fans.

According to a statement posted late Wednesday on Fenerbahce's official Web site, both sides agreed to cancel Enke's one-year deal upon the recommendation of coach Christoph Daum because Enke "didn't fit in" at the team.

At Fenerbahce's first league match last weekend, Fenerbahce fans upset by the team's three-goal deficit jeered Enke. The team lost 3-0 at home to Istanbulspor.

Many Fenerbahce fans had been outraged with Enke's signing, saying the substitute goalkeeper for Barcelona only made brief appearances in three matches last season and was too inexperienced.

Enke acknowledged when he joined that there was intense pressure on him as a replacement for star goalkeeper Rustu Recber, who recently transferred to Barcelona.

Newspapers on Thursday gave differing accounts for Enke's departure, with some saying Enke was upset about fans' reaction and others saying Daum had himself noted fans' discontent. But nearly all reports indicated the fan factor was key.

"The Enke fiasco," said the daily Posta.

Fenerbahce, traditionally considered one of Istanbul's big three clubs, finished the season sixth last season, trailing league leader Besiktas by 34 points.

Recber, among 16 players selected for FIFA's World Cup All-Star team, recently joined Barcelona after nine years at Fenerbahce.

 

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