Soccer scandal
July 4, 2011
Another eight people were arrested on Monday following police raids in 15 provinces across Turkey that began at 7 am on Sunday. Police swept through club premises and homes arresting almost 50 people including high-ranking officials including club presidents and top league players.
The searches were mainly of top clubs including league champions Fenerbahce, runner-up Trabzonspor, Sivasspor, Anakeragucu, Genclerbirligi and Besiktas.
A police unit fighting organized crime has been investigating match-fixing allegations affecting several games last season, including the decisive league game last season in which Fenerbahce clinched their record 18th title by defeating Sivasspor 4-3.
Champions Fenerbahce focus of raids
The raids appear to be focusing largely on Fenerbahce. Police arrested not just the chairman of the Fenerbahce team, Aziz Yildirim, but also two team players and two board members.
Others who were detained included the chairman of Sivasspor, Mecnun Odyakmaz, national football stars Serkan Calik of the Genclerbirligi team and Serdar Kulbilge from Anakeragucu, as well as Umit Karan, the Berlin-born director of Eskisehirspor.
The match-fixing investigation already led to many arrests last year but this is the first time such high-level officials have been targeted. In addition to the arrests, police also seized documents and other evidence.
Fenerbahce reject wrongdoing claims
Fenerbahce board chairman Yuksel Gunay on Sunday sharply criticized the way the police conducted the raid and rejected all allegations. "It is quite clearly just the manifestation of a police state," he said. In a statement published on its website, the club issued a statement denying any wrongdoing. "Everyone should know that Fenerbahce Sports Club has never been and will never be engaged in any unlawful and illegal activity.”
The Turkish football federation TFF has said it would follow the investigations closely and say more once the relevant authorities provided accurate information.
Turkish political leaders have expressed concern at the allegations. "The judiciary made a decision and started the operation. I hope there won't be any troubling consequences,” said Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, who is a well-known fan of Fenerbahce.
"If even 5 percent of these allegations prove right, it's very grave for Turkish sports. I hope that all this will result in a cleansing," said Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of the ruling AK Party.
Match-fixing probe in Greece
Just over two weeks ago, a match-fixing probe in Greece led to the arrests of the presidents of two first division clubs Volos and Kavala. They were among 10 suspects detained on various corruption charges including money laundering and participation in a criminal group. Police are investigating up to 65 people who are alleged to be involved in fixing games in the Greek first and second division since 2008 and to have made millions of Euros from it.
Author: Wilhelmina Lyffyt (Reuters, AFP, dpa)
Editor: Michael Lawton