Fenerbahçe Deputy Chairman Nihat Özdemir's remarks came during Habertürk TV's “Teke Tek” (One on One) program, which featured TFF Chairman Mehmet Ali Aydınlar as a guest. “We are passing through really tough times. … I hope we can overcome these times honorably. If Aydınlar and his federation were unable to protect us from the UEFA, if they believe that we were involved in match-fixing and took that decision, they should relegate us from the Spor Toto Super League and we would play in the Bank Asya League with honor. I kindly request he do that,” Özdemir challenged Aydınlar as he spoke on the program by telephone.
He added that many cases filed against individuals in Turkey were concluded with the acquittal of those accused; he said they expected the federation to trust the Turkish judiciary. “If I were him, I would have made a decision after the court's ruling. However, Mr. Aydınlar did the wrong thing, although he also thinks in this way, and brought Turkish football to a deadlock. Neither he nor his board of directors knows what to do now. … I believe that our president and our board members will be released from prison. I wonder how the chairman and deputy chairmen of this federation will respond to that,” Özdemir said in strong remarks against Aydınlar.
Aydınlar's response to Özdemir was also harsh. “I am shocked. I think this [asking relegation] is a move to play to the crowd. I served that club for years [as a board member]. Neither I nor my administration deserves these remarks. I listened to the remarks of the Fenerbahçe deputy chairman with surprise. He speaks as if I had made this decision, as if I had not defended Fenerbahçe to the UEFA. This is very inappropriate. I also wonder one thing. Is it right to go ahead with such a thing [match-fixing accusation]? Is not it better to make a decision as soon as possible? If it is established that Fenerbahçe was involved in match-rigging it will be relegated. If they say they withdraw from the first division we can also make a decision according to that. This will not be in favor of Fenerbahçe,” Aydınlar said. He added that he expected club administrators to act with more common sense.
Explaining the reasons behind the TFF decision, Aydınlar once again underlined that they took the decision under pressure from the UEFA. He said Turkey could have faced disciplinary sanctions, including the barring of Turkish teams from European leagues for eight years if they had not barred Fenerbahçe. He added that UEFA officials did not see the evidence prosecutors have on match-fixing, but said even the smallest suspicion is enough to bar a team. He added that the UEFA accepted to pay compensation for Fenerbahçe if the club is acquitted of the charges.
Several Fenerbahçe officials, including Chairman Aziz Yıldırım, are currently under arrest on suspicion of being involved in a match-fixing scheme. The prosecutor is now preparing an indictment for the suspects, which also include officials and teams from other teams.
