ISTANBUL, (Reuters) – Turkish police detained 22 people including the chairman of Trabzonspor yesterday in a widening match-fixing investigation which has already put 26 people in jail pending trial, broadcasters said.
The major nationwide investigation has plunged preparations for the new season into chaos less than a month before kick-off and could result in champions Fenerbahce being stripped of their title. The detention of Trabzonspor’s Sadri Sener in Istanbul came just hours after the chairman of Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim, was remanded in custody on charges of match-fixing and forming a criminal organisation. Police were also taking a statement from the former Turkish Football Federation chairman Mahmut Ozgener after summoning him to police headquarters, media reports said. Initial reports said police had detained him.
Among others held on Monday were another former federation executive once responsible for the national team, Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge and a former executive of the Ankara club, media reports said. Police have yet to make a statement.
