Aysal to step down if UEFA hands ban

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Ünal Aysal.

Ünal Aysal stood firm on his challenge with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), saying he would step down as Galatasaray chairman if UEFA hands Turkey a ban that would keep the club out of European competitions.

“I will step down from my post if Galatasaray wins European qualification and loses it due to a ban,” Aysal said on Kanaltürk’s Telegol show Jan. 16. “We don’t want anybody to be hit with a ban. I only care about my club’s benefits. We have been investing in the club and if we lose our chance to play in Europe, the TFF is responsible for that.”

Earlier in the day, Galatasaray issued a petition to TFF before its critical meeting yesterday that focused on match fixing and the 58th article of the Disciplinary Code.

The TFF convenes Jan. 26 to reconsider the 58th article, which calls for the “relegation” of any team that “manipulates games or attempts to do so.” The article could potentially affect a total of eight Spor Toto Super League clubs whose officials, players and coaches were listed as suspects in the rigging case.
Galatasaray is the only member of Turkey’s Big Four that was untouched by the match-fixing allegations.