Fenerbahce president Yildirim found guilty of match-fixing but will be released from prison

Jul 2, 2012 11:18:00 AM

Having spent a year behind bars, the 59-year-old supremo will be freed later on Monday, but has been fined €569,000 for his part in the scandal in Turkey

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has been found guilty of the match-fixing charges brought against him, but is set to be released from prison. His return depends on the appeals process.

A string of allegations relating to the club's late title charge in the 2010-11 season were made public in July of last year, but the 59-year-old has maintained his innocence throughout, claiming to have fallen victim to a conspiracy perpetrated by Turkey's Islamic government.

It had already been announced by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) that no clubs would be punished for their part in the scandal, and only individuals would receive censure, meaning that the likes of Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor would not have to face a season in the second tier.

Yildirim was the highest-profile figure to be implicated in the saga, and was sentenced to a total of six years in prison for charges involving forming a criminal organisation and match-fixing, and has spent the past 12 months incarcerated, but will be released later on Monday.

He will also have to face a fine of 1.3 million Turkish Lira (€569,000).

Fenerbahce followed up their title win with a second-place finish in 2011-12, and have been cleared by Uefa to compete in next season's Champions League.

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 to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Terry and Nani wanted by Galatasaray
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind