Fenerbahce withdrawn from Europe because of match-fix probe

[Zappa 0]

Fenerbahce withdrawn from Europe because of match-fix probe

 

Turkey's Football Federation has withdrawn national champions Fenerbahce from the Champions League because of an ongoing match-fixing investigation.

 

On Thursday the Turkish side were due to join 32 elite European clubs in the draw for the Champions League group stage being held in Monaco at 1645 BST.

 

It is unclear how Uefa will replace Fenerbahce, who are suspected of fixing matches to win the Turkish title.

 

Runners-up Trabzonspor have also been implicated in the match-fixing probe.

 

They were eliminated in the the Champions League qualifying rounds and are currently in a two-legged play-off to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League.

 

The decision was taken after the Turkish Football Federation held an extraordinary board meeting on Wednesday attended by Uefa's legal counsel for integrity, Pierre Cornu.

 

The Turkish match-fixing probe threatened to play havoc with Uefa's marquee club competition, with Fenerbahce having been scheduled to play six group matches from September to December.

 

Uefa had warned it would kick out any team proved to be involved in match-fixing and wipe its results from the record.

[Zappa 0]

You've got to wonder who will get their CL spot. Another Turkish team or what? Kayserispor managed by Shota Arveladze just missed out on a European spot, but that was just for one of Turkey's 3 Europa League spots, so I wonder what UEFA will do?

[Gazza_8 233]

They certainly won't be giving it to us because someone at UEFA doesnae like us much.

[metlika 0]

Thought Bursaspor were in line for that spot? Anyway it might go to a team that gets knocked out at the playoff round. Odd time to withdraw them if I'm honest could have been done much earlier not during playoff rounds.

[metlika 0]

Apparently its Trabzonspor who get in but I thought there was something dodgy going on with them, there is....hmmm

[Zappa 0]

Apparently its Trabzonspor who get in but I thought there was something dodgy going on with them, there is....hmmm

 

That mob were due to play the second leg of their Europa League play-off round tie in Turkey tomorrow night, but the match has been cancelled.

[bluebear54 0]

Oh, give it to the Tims - they'll be able to think up some reason why they were done out of a CL spot. Let them play in both competitions -it'll keep them happy for a couple of weeks.