Fixing scores
July 16, 2011
In one of the biggest scandals ever to hit Turkish soccer, allegations of match-fixing have seen dozens arrested and prompted concern from UEFA.
Around 19 games last season are thought to have been. Nearly 100 officials, players and coaches have been arrested or interrogated, and 30 of these people are now sitting in jail. Among them are president of league giants Fenerbahce Aziz Yildirim and Besiktas coach Tayfur Havutcu.
The accusations stretch further than these two clubs, with Turkish Super Lig runner-up Trabzonspor and first-division clubs Eskisehirspor, Genclerbirligi, Ankaragucu and Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor all under suspicion. Several clubs from the second tier are also suspected of match-fixing.
Under suspicion
In early July, some 50 players, coaches, and advisors were arrested on suspicion of match-fixing in raids across several cities. The investigators of a special organized crime unit seized several documents which could be linked to rigging results last season.
According to Turkish media reports, the prosecution is allegedly in possession of video recordings that show money transfers between officials and football players. It has also intercepted suspicious text messages and phone calls over an eight-month period.
The most prominent among the suspects is Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim. He is accused of 15 counts of criminal acts, including founding and running a criminal armed organization and attempted match-fixing. Together with three other Fenerbahce officials, he is held in Istanbul's 'Metris' prison awaiting trial. Since Yildirim is diabetic and suffers heart problems, he is under constant medical supervision and his lawyers have filed an appeal and demanded his release.
A second major raid took place on July 11, when another 50 suspects were arrested, including former soccer association president Mahmut Ozgener, president of Trabzonspor Sadri Sener, vice-president of Besiktas Serdar Adali, Besiktas coach Tayfur Havutcu and Turkish international player Ibrahim Akin.
Besiktas give back the cup
Winners of the 2011 Turkish Cup Besiktas have said they will return the cup to the Turkish football association (TFF), pending investigation.
One of the 19 games under investigation is the cup final between Besiktas and Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor, which Besiktas won through a penalty shoot-out.
"We will only take the cup back if the allegations against us are cleared for good," said Besiktas President Yildirim Demiroren.
A UEFA spokesperson told Deutsche Welle that manipulation of any kind would not be tolerated. At the same time, UEFA made it clear that the fraud allegations fall under the jurisdiction of the FTT and the Turkish judiciary.
Based on the information UEFA currently have, there is no evidence to suggest any club will be excluded from European competition. UEFA pointed out, however, that a club could be excluded retrospectively, or could be blocked from future European competition for several years if the allegations have grounds.
A meeting is scheduled between UEFA and the TFF on Monday, July 18, to clarify if the affected clubs can take part in the Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.
Author: Murat Celikkafa / cb
Editor: Toma Tasovac