By David Gold
July 3 – Aziz Yildirim, the President of Turkish giants Fenerbahce, has been arrested along with 30 others in connection with an investigation into match fixing, according to Turkish state media.
Also arrested were Sekip Mosturoglu and Umit Karan, the vice-presidents of Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor respectively, as well as several players, including Genclerbirligi forward Serkan Calik and Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilg.
Fenerbahce forwards Emmanuel Emenike and Sezer Öztürk were also detained.
Raids made by police covered 12 cities in Turkey, but the searching of the headquarters of Fenerbahce, the reigning champions, is the most high profile aspect of the investigation thus far.
According to the Associated Press, the Dogan news agency in Turkey reported that the final game of the season, which Fenerbahce won 4-3 against Sivasspor, was under investigation.
Fenerbahce released a statement saying: “Never in the history of our club, which is full of honours won, have we been implicated in any illegal acts and we never will be.”
It is the latest in a number of match fixing cases around the world.
In recent weeks international friendlies involving South Africa, Nigeria and Argentina have been under investigation.
Match fixing investigations in South Korea, Israel, Greece, and Italy are all ongoing as football authorities attempt to clamp down on the problem.
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