Turkish footballer 'admits to killing coronavirus-stricken son'

Cevher Toktas, who played in Turkey's Super Lig between 2007 and 2009.

A footballer has allegedly admitted killing his son because he thought the child did not love him, police have said.

Cevher Toktas, who played in Turkey's Super Lig between 2007 and 2009, told officers that he smothered his five-year-old Kasim.

The 32-year-old had brought his son to the Dortcelik Children's Hospital in the city of Bursa on April 23 because the boy had breathing difficulties and a high fever. 

Fearing that they had the coronavirus, the father and son were placed in quarantine by doctors.

Later that day Toktas told medics that Kasim was finding it harder to breath and he was taken to intensive care.

He died a short while later.

Doctors put the child's death down to Covid-19.

Just 11 days after Kasim's death Toktas drove to a local police station to explain that he had smothered the boy, Demiroren News Agency reported.

An official statement by Toktas, provided by the Bursa Office of the Prosecutor, read: “I pressed a pillow on my son who was lying on his back. For 15 minutes, I pressed down on the pillow without lifting it up.

"My son was struggling during that time. After he stopped moving, I lifted the pillow. Then I yelled for doctors to help to draw any suspicions away from me.

“I never loved my younger son after he was born. I don’t know why I don’t love him. The sole reason why I killed him that day is because I didn’t like him. I don’t have any mental issues."

The defender, who most recently played for amateur team Bursa Yildirim Sport, denied that he had mental health problems.

Authorities reportedly want Kasim's body to be exhumed for an autopsy.