Nouma receives seven-month ban

Former Besiktas JK striker Pascal Nouma has received a seven-month ban from Turkish football. The punisment was administered by the professional football discipline committee of the Turkish Football Association (TFF) following the controversy surrounding his goal celebration in the Istanbul derby earlier this month.

Contract cancelled
Nouma celebrated his eighth-minute goal in the 2-0 victory against Fenerbahçe SK by sticking his hand down the front of his shorts. The 31-year-old's actions received widespread condemnation in Turkey prompting the Besiktas board to cancel his contract.

Seven-month ban
The ban means that the 31-year-old French player will not be able to play any matches in Turkey for seven months. Nouma first joined Besiktas from RC Lens in the 2000/01 season and enjoyed immediate success, scoring 23 goals in 34 matches. The following year he returned to France to join Olympique de Marseille but rejoined Besiktas at the start of this season.