By David Gold
July 8 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has been implicated in the match fixing scandal engulfing Turkish football, whilst champions Fenerbahce facing the prospect of relegation and having their title from last season stripped if found guilty of the allegations levelled at them.
Turkish daily Radikal reported that Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yıldırım had called the TFF prior to a derby game against Besiktas and asked for referee Cüneyt Çakır to be appointed to officiate the game, which subsequently happened.
Fenerbahce’s 4-2 win in that game was a crucial point in their march to the title.
Yıldırım has had an arrest warrant issued for him, whilst fellow club officials Sekip Mosturoglu and Ilhan Ekşioğlu have also been charged.
Former Fenerbahce player Cemil Turan is also alleged to have offered $300,000 (£183,000/€209,000) as an incentive to Ankaragücü players ahead of a match which his team won 6-0.
If the club are found guilty of the allegations, they could be relegated to the second tier of Turkish football for the first time in their history.
They would also be stripped of their title and European qualification for next season.
Turkish Football Federation chairman Mehmet Ali Aydinlar had insisted earlier this week that they will be taking firm action to tackle the scandal.
The value of Fenerbahce shares have fallen by some 30 per cent in the last two days, with the league under pressure as they have just over a week to confirm the team who will be entered to take part in Champions League qualifiers, and the league itself starts on August 7.
“The investigation may take a long time,” Aydinlar said.
“There is little time, we will use this period well and we will conform to the calendar.”
Fenerbahce, who won the league for a record 18th time last year, fervently deny involvement in match fixing, whilst rivals Sivasspor, Eskisehirspor and Genclerbirligi staff are all under suspicion.
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