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Former Turkish Football Federation president Mehmet Ali Aydinlar reveals Uefa threats over match-fixing scandal
Super Lig teams faced an eight-year ban from European competition if they did not remove Fenerbahce from the Champions League, as the continent's governing body applied pressure
Feb 3, 2012 10:15:00 AM
By Enis Koylu
TFF
Former Turkish Football Association (TFF)'s president Mehmet Ali Aydinlar has revealed that Uefa threatened to impose an eight-year ban on the nation's teams from competing in European competition.
Super Lig champions Fenerbahce were kicked out of Europe's premier club tournament for their part in an alleged match-fixing scandal, despite investigations into the claims not being comprehensive or concluded at the time.
Aydinlar has now admitted that the TFF were forced to act quickly in order to avoid a universal ban on their representatives from European competition.
"Uefa forced the TFF. They threatened to impose an eight-year ban on Turkish teams if we didn't act immediately," he disclosed according to Hurriyet Daily News.
Meanwhile, TFF lawyer Ilhan Helvaci has stated that Uefa's requests did not necessarily mean that Fenerbahce should be removed from European competition.
"The TFF could not call Uefa's bluff. The request did not constitute a compelling injunction to withdraw the club," the legal professional specified.
Aydinlar resigned on Tuesday after his attempts to abolish compulsory relegation for every team found guilty of match-fixing was turned down.
Super Lig champions Fenerbahce were kicked out of Europe's premier club tournament for their part in an alleged match-fixing scandal, despite investigations into the claims not being comprehensive or concluded at the time.
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Aydinlar has now admitted that the TFF were forced to act quickly in order to avoid a universal ban on their representatives from European competition.
"Uefa forced the TFF. They threatened to impose an eight-year ban on Turkish teams if we didn't act immediately," he disclosed according to Hurriyet Daily News.
Meanwhile, TFF lawyer Ilhan Helvaci has stated that Uefa's requests did not necessarily mean that Fenerbahce should be removed from European competition.
"The TFF could not call Uefa's bluff. The request did not constitute a compelling injunction to withdraw the club," the legal professional specified.
Aydinlar resigned on Tuesday after his attempts to abolish compulsory relegation for every team found guilty of match-fixing was turned down.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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