Leverkusen's Calhanoglu banned 4 months for breach of contract in 2011

Hakan Calhanoglu's season is over after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a four-month ban issued by FIFA regarding his dispute with Turkish club Trabzonspor FC.

The Bayer Leverkusen player has also been ordered to pay €100,000 to Trabzonspor as part of his punishment for allegedly terminating his contract with the Turkish club "without just cause" in 2011 when he was a member of Karlsruhe SC.

At the time of the infringement, the 22-year-old had reached an agreement to join Trabzonspor from Karlsruhe SC. Instead, Calhanoglu decided against the transfer in favour of signing a new contract with Karlsruhe and went on to join Bundesliga outfit Hamburg in 2013.

Trabzonspor filed a complaint with FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (FIFA DRC) in 2013. The arbitration and dispute deciding body sided with the Turkish team and issued a decision in Jan. 2016 to ban Calhanoglu.

Two months later, Calhanoglu, who joined Leverkusen in 2014, and Trabzonspor filed appeals, with the player asking to postpone the ban, while the team sought a payment of €100,000 - the amount issued to the winger when he agreed to join. Although Trabzonspor's appeal was only partially upheld - with the exception of the team's request to be compensated €1 million - Calhanoglu's appeal was dismissed.

A statement from Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller read: "Of course, we regret this decision which is completely incomprehensible for us.

"It's a heavy blow for Hakan but also for us. We’re also being heavily punished although Bayer 04 Leverkusen had nothing to do with the events in 2011. We are now missing a very important player in a crucial phase of the season."

Calhanoglu has been a staple in the starting XI - starting 14 of 18 Bundesliga matches - at Leverkusen

The team's attempt to finish in a Champions League spot in the table for a fifth consecutive season could now be in jeopardy, with Leverkusen CEO Michael Schade bemoaning the negative impact that the ruling will have on his team.

"In addition to the player, it also affects the club that played absolutely no part in the events of the time. Unfortunately we are left with no alternative but to accept the decision," Schade said.

The ban will also force Calhanoglu to miss Turkey's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Finland on March 24.