TFF chief backtracks in demotion row

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Ali Aydınlar yesterday backtracked in the war with clubs calling for the relegation ban to be lifted on match fixing.

The 58th article of the Disciplinary Code has been the subject of a debate recently, after the Union of Clubs called on the TFF to change the ruling that requires teams to be relegated if they are found guilty of match fixing or a fixing attempt.

Earlier this month Aydınlar said he would not bow down to pressure and would not change the ruling while he is TFF president. However, yesterday he said that he did not like the ruling, either.

“I don’t find the 58th article right, either,” Doğan news agency quoted him as saying. “But it is not right to change it while the investigation is ongoing. According to [the rule], those who manipulate games and those who attempt it get the same ban. That should be categorized.”

A total of 93 officials are listed as suspects as part of a case in which eight clubs are involved. Aydınlar’s statements came during the Ziraat Turkish Cup draw ceremony. According to the ruling, defending cup winner Beşiktaş was pitted to play against Gaziantep BB in round 32. Fenerbahçe will meet Torku Şekerspor, Galatasaray will take on Adana Demirspor and Trabzonspor will play Güngörenspor.