Court rejects football chairman's final appeal

ANKARA 

A Turkish court has rejected a final appeal by the scandal-hit chairman of Fenerbahce football club, Aziz Yildirim, who had previously been sentenced to six years in prison for match-fixing and corruption. 

Yildirim, who has already spent one year in prison, is expected to return to jail after the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals referred the case to the 16th High Criminal Court in Istanbul.

On January 17, the Supreme Court of Appeals announced its decision to send Yildirim to jail for trying to influence the outcome of games. The verdict also included 85 other suspects, including important figures such as Olgun Peker, who was convicted of forming an illegal gang. 

On February 14, the Fenerbahce chairman's lawyers appealed to the Constitutional Court where – following a 2010 referendum – civil cases can now be heard. Decisions made by the Turkish Constitutional Court are final and cannot be amended. 

The match-fixing scandal broke during Turkey’s 2010-11 football season as Fenerbahce won its 18th title. Many important football figures such as chairmen, players and board members were taken into custody due in connection with alleged match fixing, incentive bonus payment and bribery.

Directors of Fenerbahce and several other Turkish clubs, as well as players, have been charged with match-fixing. UEFA – European football's governing body – barred Fenerbahce from the Champions' League for two seasons as a result of its investigation.

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