By Andrew Warshaw
July 16 – Two of Turkey’s three biggest clubs, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, have failed in their bids to get their forthcoming European bans overturned, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport now their only remaining avenue.
Last month UEFA kicked both clubs out of Europe as a result of the long-running domestic match-fixing scandal which has rocked Turkish football since 2011. Fenerbahce, who had qualified for the Champions League next season, were excluded from competing in Europe for three seasons, with the third deferred for a probationary period of five years. Besiktas were thrown out of the Europa League for the upcoming campaign.
The two clubs promptly appealed but with UEFA showing no mercy when it comes to match rigging, their Appeals Body upheld the main penalties but yielded slightly by rescinding Fenerbahce’s deferred third year of exclusion.
Fenerbahce reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season and finished second to Galatasaray in the Turkish league last season, one place above Besiktas.
In a statement UEFA said: “The UEFA Appeals Body carefully analysed the statements and documents submitted by Besiktas and Fenerbahce related to their specific cases, as well as the statements and documents submitted by the UEFA Disciplinary Inspectors appointed to each case, and reached the following decisions.
“Besiktas have had their appeal rejected. Consequently, Besiktas are not eligible to participate in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League.
“Fenerbahce have had their appeal partially admitted. Consequently, Fenerbahce are excluded from participating in the next two UEFA club competitions they qualify for, including the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.”
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