05 January 2025 GMT: 20:31

Fenerbahçe fans call on TFF to maintain match fixing rule

Fenerbahe 04-01-12

By David Gold

January 4 – Supporters of Turkish champions Fenerbahçe, who have been heavily implicated in the country’s match fixing scandal, have called on the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) not to alter a rule which could relegate the club.

Article 58 of the TFF disciplinary code requires that any team whose officials are caught match fixing be immediately relegated, and the organisation has indicated that it could consider changing the rule after pressure from the Turkish clubs’ union.

According to Turkish newspaper Hürriyet, the TFF decided following a meeting on December 28 to hold an emergency general convention on January 26 to discuss the article.

“Changing the 58th article will put Fenerbahçe in the place of a guilty club, and even if our club is cleared of the charges, it will remain under a shadow of doubt,” said the Union of Fenerbahçe Supporter Groups in a statement.

“Fenerbahçe fans are not afraid of relegation.

“Fenerbahçe [supporters] are afraid of remaining in the league if the club is tainted.

“The Fenerbahçe fans’ conscience will not accept remaining in the league with a rule change.”

Despite their stance, the team’s supporters appear divided as a rally took place in central Istanbul last week in which a large number protested against the investigation of their club and officials.

The Istanbul outfit have already been punished for their alleged role in the affair after being thrown out of the Champions League at the start of the season and replaced by Trabzonspor, who are also under investigation for match fixing.

Aziz Yildirim_04-01-12
The team continue to maintain their innocence but their chairman Aziz Yıldırım (pictured) is facing prosecution for his alleged role in the affair.

A number of other teams are also being investigated, including Beşiktaş, with 19 games from last season’s top flight being looked into.

The Fenerbahçe fans’ view was reciprocated by Galatasaray, the only major club who have not been implicated in the scandal.

“We have constantly warned the TFF to make a decision to clear the path for Turkish football and give it the place it deserves in world football,” Hürriyet quoted the club as saying in a statement.

“But today, we see that the TFF, with reasons that are clearly understood but rarely spoken about, is avoiding using its powers, leaving it to the general assembly meeting.”

It is not the only controversial rule change going through relating to match fixing, as the Government is set to pass legislation reducing the maximum term for those convicted of involvement in match fixing from 12 years to three.

Such a change would be a boost to the 93 individuals currently being prosecuted by the courts.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1736108965labto1736108965ofdlr1736108965owedi1736108965sni@d1736108965log.d1736108965ivad1736108965

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