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UEFA ready to take further action on Turkish clubs if necessary, warns Gianni Infantino
The general secretary insists the European football governing body will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on clubs in Turkey if they are found guilty of match-fixing
Dec 28, 2011 6:45:00 PM
By Livio Caferoglu
Getty Images
Gianni Infantino has warned Turkish clubs that further expulsions from UEFA's competitions are not out of the question, as the match-fixing scandal continues to rumble on in the country.
During a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday, the general secretary asserted that despite the organization not currently pursuing plans to do so, they may still choose to inflict such penalties if clubs in Turkey are found guilty of rigging football matches.
"There are no plans in this respect but there are rules that we are applying in the same way to all clubs," insisted Infantino.
"It seems to be only domestic matches where it's under the jurisdiction of the national association to take the necessary measures.
"We are discussing with the Turkish football association and, if necessary, we will certainly not hesitate to take necessary measures."
Turkish champion Fenerbahce was ejected from the Champions League prior to the beginning of the season, while a total of 93 officials and players, including Fener chairman Aziz Yildirim, have been named as suspects.
However, the passing of a law in Turkey which has seen the maximum prison sentence for match-fixing reduced from 12 years to only three has complicated matters, but Infantino has called on the authorities to ensure that appropriate punishments are handed out.
"On the criminal side, there we urge all governments to act very firmly because we are dealing with criminal organizations so it's a serious matter," Infantino continued.
"On the other side, we urge the federations to adopt a zero tolerance policy and to take the necessary measures against those who are involved in match-fixing."
During a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday, the general secretary asserted that despite the organization not currently pursuing plans to do so, they may still choose to inflict such penalties if clubs in Turkey are found guilty of rigging football matches.
"There are no plans in this respect but there are rules that we are applying in the same way to all clubs," insisted Infantino.
"It seems to be only domestic matches where it's under the jurisdiction of the national association to take the necessary measures.
"We are discussing with the Turkish football association and, if necessary, we will certainly not hesitate to take necessary measures."
Turkish champion Fenerbahce was ejected from the Champions League prior to the beginning of the season, while a total of 93 officials and players, including Fener chairman Aziz Yildirim, have been named as suspects.
However, the passing of a law in Turkey which has seen the maximum prison sentence for match-fixing reduced from 12 years to only three has complicated matters, but Infantino has called on the authorities to ensure that appropriate punishments are handed out.
"On the criminal side, there we urge all governments to act very firmly because we are dealing with criminal organizations so it's a serious matter," Infantino continued.
"On the other side, we urge the federations to adopt a zero tolerance policy and to take the necessary measures against those who are involved in match-fixing."
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