TFF challenged in match-fixing ruling

ISTANBUL - Anatolia News Agency

This file photo shows Fenerbahçe supporters lit flares outside the Çağlayan Courthouse during a hearing, where the club chairman Aziz Yıldırım is being tried. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

Galatasaray is leading three clubs to appeal against the Turkish Football Federation’s (TFF) controversial change to an article regarding match fixing in the disciplinary code.

Galatasaray, Trabzonspor and Bursaspor issued an appeal at the TFF Arbitration Committee, saying that recent changes made to the article did not abide by the rules of the European football governing body, UEFA, and principles of the game.

Earlier this week, the TFF announced a change to the 58th article of its disciplinary code, saying that attempted manipulation of matches could result in point deductions and monetary penalties. Prior to the change, the article read, “Teams manipulating or attempting to manipulate games will be relegated.”

The match-fixing case, which started after the Istanbul Police’s finding that several games from last season’s championship were allegedly manipulated, involves several clubs including last season’s champion Fenerbahçe, runner-up Trabzonspor and Turkish Cup winner Beşiktaş.

Galatasaray and Bursaspor have been vocal critics of the TFF’s inactivity and failure to punish the suspected teams immediately, while Trabzonspor has been claiming Fenerbahçe won the title wrongfully and demanding last season’s trophy.

“The federation’s change does not abide by the principle that a rule does not change while the competition is still ongoing,” a statement released by Galatasaray said.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor demanded the continuation of the jailing of 10 suspects being tried in the match-fixing case on May 4.

Three Fenerbahçe officials, including Chairman Aziz Yıldırım, board member İlhan Ekşioğlu and chief financial officer Tamer Yelkovan, are among the 10 football club officials that have been jailed pending trial since July 2011.

A total of 93 football club officials, players and coaches are listed as suspects in the case.
Chief judge Mehmet Ekinci was yet to announce his decision on May 4 as the Hürriyet Daily News went to print.

The next hearing of the match-fixing case will be held on May 29.