By Andrew Warshaw
June 11 – The match-fixing scandal that rocked Turkish football two seasons ago has been rekindled after UEFA announced it was investigating the activities of Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, two of the country’s biggest clubs. Just before its recent Congress in London, UEFA announced it was scrapping all statutes of limitations within its disciplinary system so it could persue cases of match fixing retrospectively – and that’s exactly what it has done
European football’s governing body will hear cases on June 21 and 22 and in a statement confirmed: “Following the investigation into alleged match-fixing activities involving Fenerbahce, the UEFA disciplinary inspector has submitted his findings … in the context of disciplinary proceedings against this club and five club officials.
“Proceedings have also been opened against Beşiktaş and two club officials in relation to match-fixing activities which are alleged to have taken place during the 2011 Turkish Cup final.”
Fenerbahce were banned from the 2011-12 Champions League because of match-fixing and club president Aziz Yildirim jailed for six years, later released on appeal. He was among 93 players and officials arrested for suspected involvement in the scandal that also involved five other clubs.
Following UEFA’s announcement, Fenerbahce released a statement of its own disclosing the names of the five club officials and saying UEFA was seeking lifetime bans if they are found guilty. “Club president Aziz Yıldırım and board members Alaeddin Yıldırım, Mehmet Şekip Mosturoğlu, İlhan Yüksel Ekşioğlu and Cemil Turhan are under investigation by UEFA,” the statement said. “The club is being accused of influencing the results of games and if found guilty will face a two-year suspension from European competitions.”
There was no hiding place either for Beşiktaş which is being probed over match-fixing allegations connected to the 2011 Turkish Cup final where they beat Buyuksehir Belediyespor on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
A Besiktas statement confirmed: “Former vice-president Serdal Adalı and former-manager Tayfur Havutçu are being investigation by UEFA for influencing the result of the Turkish Cup final match played on 11 May 2011 against İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediye Spor. If found guilty Beşiktaş will be suspended from the 2013-14 Europa League competition and Serdal Adalı as well as Tayfur Havutçu will face a lifetime ban from any footballing activities.”
Beşiktaş are already serving a European competition ban after being suspended from last season’s Europa League over non-payment of players’ wages, violating articles of the recently implemented financial fair play regulations.
Last year, the Turkish Football Federation imposed bans of between one and three years on 10 players and officials but did not take action against any clubs. Fenerbahce have just finished second behind Galatarasay, earning them a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds, a situation that could now be under severe threat. Reports in Turkey suggested the club, already expelled once from the Champions League, could be thrown out for two years if found guilty by UEFA.
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