More than 100 suspended from Turkish Football Federation over failed coup attempt

ISTANBUL

More than 100 people were suspended from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) on Aug. 2 over the July 15 failed coup attempt, which was carried out by the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ). The 105 suspended individuals included referees and observers, according to the TFF.

“Our federation deemed it necessary to suspend 94 people, including regional and nationally-ranked referees and assistant referees, regional refereeing committee members and national and regional observers,” a statement released from the TFF read, while follow-up statement said a further 11 people had also been suspended.

“Our federation deemed it necessary to accept the resignation of a member of the representative council and suspended 10 representatives who were assigned to games,” the second statement read.

The statement gave no further details but one of the referees affected was an assistant referee in the country’s top flight Super Lig, daily Hürriyet reported, without giving a name.

All members of affiliated committees of the TFF resigned over the weekend to allow a “security inspection” to see if any had links to U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen.

Meanwhile, TFF chief Yıldırım Demirören has said all Super Lig and international matches and all other fixtures will be played as scheduled.