UEFA Europa League

Benfica: 3 - Fenerbahce: 1 (Full time)

Portugal's Benfica football team defeated Turkey's Fenerbahce 3-1 in a second leg match in the UEFA Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

With tonight's win, Benfica advanced to the final game with an aggregate score of 3-2.
Thursday's game between Benfica and Fenerbahce took place in Lisbon. (LISBON/AA)

Galatasaray agrees with Inter in Sneijder chase

In this Aug. 26, 2012 file photo, Inter Milan's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder celebrates after scoring during a Serie A soccer match between Pescara and Inter Milan, at the Adriatico stadium in Pescara, Italy. AP photo

Galatasaray has agreed to terms with Inter for the trade of Wesley Sneijder, and the transfer is now down to the persuasion of the Dutch superstar, Turkish media reported today.

The Istanbul club agreed to pay eight million euros to the Italian giants in its bid to sign the star midfielder, daily Vatan reported today.

The Lions will try to make Sneijder agree a lucrative salary, however, news reports claim that the 28-year-old player is willing to listen to other offers, presumably from top European clubs.

Vatan added that Galatasaray offered an initial payment of six million euros in addition to 3.2 million euros yearly salary and 25.000 euros per appearance to the player.

Today’s reported agreement between Galatasaray and Inter came a day after the Istanbul club officially announced that it was in talks with the Italians on the signing of Sneijder.

Galatasaray made the announcement to the Istanbul Stock Exchange (İMKB) just hours after chairman Ünal Aysal confirmed that they approached Inter Milan for the star.

“We had lunch with Inter chairman Massimo Moratti [on Jan. 7],” Aysal told a group of reporters on the club’s official television channel, GS TV. “We talked about how we can cooperate in youth systems. The Sneijder issue was on the table as well. We have made positive progress about this transfer. I think it will be cleared in the coming days.”

Due to Turkish football clubs being active in the stock exchange as companies, clubs have an obligation to inform the public about transactions. Clubs rarely announce that they are in talks unless they are close to finalizing a deal due to Capital Markets Board (SPK) regulations.

However, the summer of 2011 saw Galatasaray announce that it was in talks with Atletico Madrid for Jose Antonio Reyes, Diego Forlan and Tomas Ujfalusi, but the club ended up signing only the latter.

Now, persuading Sneijder to continue his career in Istanbul will be the key to the transfer.

When questioned about any potential switch to Istanbul, Sneijder’s agent, Soren Lerby, told De Telegraaf, “Every day there is a new club linked with Wesley. For that reason I have decided not to answer any more questions.”

“England probably has the top league in Europe, so it could be appealing, but Wes would want to play for a top team,” Lerby told BBC Sport last week in response to rumors that Premier League clubs are also chasing Sneijder.

The Dutchman has reportedly attracted the interest of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and even the Queens Park Rangers from the Premier League.

Although he was instrumental in Inter’s Champions League victory in 2010, Sneijder fell out of favor at the Italian giants since the departure of coach Jose Mourinho and participated in just five matches this season under coach Andrea Stramaccioni. Despite a disappointing campaign, the Dutchman remains one of the highest-profile midfielders in the game today and might be a game-changer for whichever club he decides to ply his trade to.

With that in mind, Galatasaray fans took to social media after the club’s announcement late Jan. 7, sending messages not only about Sneijder but also to his wife Yolanthe, brother Rodney, and even his mother Sylvia, to persuade the superstar to move to Istanbul.

“Istanbul is definitely nice!” Yolanthe Sneijder-Cabau responded to one of hundreds of tweets. “Have been there many times, love Turkey! But what will happen I do not know, honey.” (Hürriyet Daily News)

Turkish gov’t will not pay for Formula One

AFP Photo

Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kılıç retracted a previous statement today that alleged the government would pay the fee to bring Formula One back to Turkey.

The government made payments to ensure the Turkish Grand Prix happened in the future, but will not do so again this time, Kılıç said, speaking to reporters during a visit to the Governorship of Gümüşhane.

“Formula One has been about the private sector, but at the beginning the government made a sacrifice to boost the sport in Turkey,” Kılıç said yesterday. “Our government has paid $13.5 million a year for five years, but the organization got all the income.”

“Right now, the [Istanbul Park] circuit is rented by a private company, so if that private company could bring Formula One back to Turkey if it wants,” he said. “But right now, there is no discussion about the government paying [for it].”

The statement came a day after daily Hürriyet quoted Vural Ak, the owner of the Intercity company who bought the administration rights of the Istanbul Park circuit, as saying the Turkish government was “likely to pay around $20 million,” an amount closer to the $26 million total fee asked by Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Ecclestone has already said the planned New Jersey race would not be held until 2014 and that the gap in the calendar could be filled with the Istanbul Grand Prix.

The Turkish Grand Prix has been held every year between 2005 and 2011.

Barça flies to Qatar Airways from Turkish Airlines

AFP photo

Turkish Airlines has decided not to continue its FC Barcelona traveling sponsorship after June 2013, when its contract with the Catalan team ends.

The national flag carrier’s press release came on the same day as Barcelona’s announcement that it will feature Qatar Airways logo on its 2013-2014 season jerseys as a sponsor.
Barcelona’s current jersey sponsor is the Qatar Foundation.

Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reported yesterday that the Barcelano-Qatar Airways deal was worth 28 million euros a year. The club did not elaborate on the finances of the deal.

Warm message to Qatar

Sandro Rosell, president of FC Barcelona, welcomed Qatar Airways, publishing on the club’s official website that it is “an ambitious brand with global aspirations, always committed to achieving the utmost excellence in its field. These are objectives with which FC Barcelona fully identifies.”
Qatar Airways started direct flights to Barcelona in 2010.

Turkish Airlines said yesterday that the decision not to renew the deal was made at a recent Istanbul meeting attended by both parties.

The airline will continue sponsoring large organizations such as the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, Turkish Airlines World Golf Final and brand envoys within the scope of its global and regional strategy. It thanked Barcelona for friendly relations and cooperation. Turkish Airlines is also a sponsor of British club Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Temel Kotil was selected as the new chairman of the Association of European Airlines (AEA). Kotil will chair the body in 2014 and 2015, after his vice presidency next year. Kotil has managed Turkish Airlines during a time of many changes as the company aggressively increases its destinations. (Hürriyet Daily News)

Reported ban on flags at game stirs Fenerbahçe row

Hürriyet photo

A reported ban on the national flags of Turkey and Turkish Cyprus during the Oct. 25 Europa League clash between AEL Limassol and the Yellow Canaries in Greek Cyprus has created a row within the Istanbul football giant, Fenerbahçe. While reports claimed yesterday that the club had forced its fans to sign a waiver agreeing to not unfurl Turkish or Turkish Cypriot flags for fear of provoking an incident, Fenerbahçe denied it and said fans and the team were obliged to obey UEFA fair-play rules.

The move for the match was reportedly carried out in order to avoid possible unwanted incidents that could result in a subsequent match between the two clubs in Istanbul being played behind closed doors.

The game, which will be played Oct. 25, has been placed in the risky matches category, said a statement released by Fenerbahçe on its website.
AEL Limassol, meanwhile, is not banning its supporters from bringing Greek or Greek Cypriot flags into the match.

Some 300 police officers will reportedly be deployed at the stadium during the match as part of security measures. (hurriyetdailynews)

Points to Man United, credit goes to Galatasaray

Manchester United’s Nani misses a penalty against Galatasaray. German referee Wolfgang Stark, however, did not award a blatant penalty to Galatasaray in the game. AP photo

Galatasaray lost 1-0 to Manchester United in its first game in the Champions League campaign, but the Lions deserve some credit for their battle against the English heavyweights.

An early goal by Michael Carrick gave Manchester United the victory, but everything could have been different at Old Trafford on Sept. 18 if the German referee had been courageous enough to punish defender Nemanja Vidic’s foul against Umut Bulut as a penalty 33 seconds after the kick-off.

Stark was, however, so generous in placing the ball on the spot after Rafael da Silva was brought down by Burak Yılmaz in an almost identical position to where Vidic fouled Bulut.

Despite a 1-0 defeat against United, Galatasaray’s return to the Champions League after a six year hiatus was remarkable. Coach Fatih Terim’s squad have proven they belong in this league with their outstanding performance on the pitch that caused United to remain in a defensive position rather than seek counter attacks to secure the match after Carrick’s early goal.

In a show of pure self-confidence, Terim praised his team’s performance saying “our players have shown a good resistance. Our kids fought until the last moment. But we have some problems in finishing. What was important here was to challenge United and to force them to try to kill the time in the last moments of the match.”

Terim did not miss out on the chance to up the ante for a second match between the two in Istanbul, recalling Sir Alex Ferguson’s statement that they were worried before the match. “We will make Ferguson much more disturbed in Istanbul. The Arena will be in a very different atmosphere”, he told reporters after the match.

In the other game of the group, Cluj beat Braga 2-0. Galatasaray will host Braga in its next game on Oct. 2.

Cim Bom fans shame United fans

Not a group known to be silent during games, nearly 2,500 Galatasaray fans cheered and screamed from the very beginning of the match, overshadowing nearly 71,000 United supporters present.

“It cost me 200 pounds as I had to buy the ticket from the black market. But every penny I paid was worth to it,” a Galatasaray fan who came from London told me before the match. A group of members from Ultraslan, Galatasaray’s biggest supporter group, rallied in the streets chanting “We are the best! Galatasaray!” hours before the kick off.

Galatasaray’s fans were given due credit through twitter messages all throughout the night with Manchester supporters confessing they were beaten in the tribune.

Jack Thompson tweeted “Galatasaray’s 2,500 fans made Man. U’s 71,000 fans look silly tonight,” while Phil Jones said “I’m sure Man. United are meant to be home?! Their fans are getting embarrassed by Galatasaray fans!”

Among the spectators was Turkey’s Ambassador to London Ünal Çeviköz. Çeviköz expressed his satisfaction that there were no major incidents between the two team’s fans. “The match is going to be played in a very good atmosphere. We are surely very happy of it”, he said, adding he was to present a box of Turkish delight to his hosts at Manchester United. (Serkan Demirtaş/Hurriyet Daily News)

Turkish football guilty of match-fixing, court rules

Cheering fans of Fenerbahçe football club greets their newly freed chair Aziz Yıldırım after he spent a year in jail for rigging. AA photo

A court convicts Turkey’s favorite sport over rigging attempts that have sullied the beautiful game but allows the key figures in the case to walk free

Fenerbahçe Chairman Aziz Yıldırım and dozens of high-profile names were convicted and sentenced to prison on match-fixing charges as the landmark football corruption case verdict was announced yesterday.

Yıldırım was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison on match-fixing charges, while fellow board members İlhan Ekşioğlu, Şekip Mosturoğlu, Tamer Yelkovan and Cemil Turan were also found guilty of manipulating several games from the 2010-2011 Turkish championship.

The court also convicted several officials from Beşiktaş, Eskişehirspor, Sivasspor, Giresunspor and Diyarbakırspor. All officials from Trabzonspor, who lost the 2010-2011 Spor Toto Super League title to Fenerbahçe on goal difference, were cleared of match-fixing attempt charges.

One year after

The court ruling came one year after police detained suspects and prosecutors eventually charged 93 individuals, including Yıldırım. Fenerbahçe was barred from last season’s Champions League as a result of the investigation. UEFA said last week that Fenerbahçe was eligible to participate in next season’s competition, pending a final decision by the UEFA disciplinary board.

However, the court released Yıldırım, Ekşioğlu, player agent Yusuf Turanlı and former Giresunspor chairman Olgun Peker, listed as the number one suspect in the indictment, after considering the time they have already spent in jail over the past year.

Despite the court ruling, Fenerbahçe fans have welcome the release of Yıldırım, arguably the most powerful man in Turkish football, from jail. Thousands of fans flocked to the Metris Prison yesterday after the verdict was announced midday to give Yıldırım a heroes’ welcome. He was sitting in an open-top car saluting the crowd and trying to greet anyone that thrust out their hands.

During yesterday’s final hearing, head judge Mehmet Ekinci asked the defendants for their final words before the verdict.

“Today we are being tried, but you are also being tried in front of history. I trust the Turkish judges and prosecutors. I hope you have made the right decision,” Yıldırım said before ending with a Fener slogan. “That I said on the first day and I will say on the last day: ‘Even standing at the gallows, our final word will be ‘Fenerbahçe.’”

Ekinci responded to Yıldırım saying “Like football referees, we call what we see. We close our ears to what the stands say.”

The court ruling meant Yıldırım can no longer serve as a club official according to the code for football club administrations but the sanction require approval by the appeals court to go into effect.

Fenerbahçe officials’ lawyers announced that they will immediately appeal the decision. Yesterday’s ruling came two months after the Turkish Football Federation cleared all 16 teams of involvement in the scandal on grounds that even though there were match-fixing attempts, they were “not reflected on the pitch.” However, the Federation had banned 10 players and club officials for manipulating and attempting to manipulate games.

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Yıldırım stronger after jail
Çetin Cem Yılmaz – Analysis

He might have been convicted of match-fixing, but yesterday’s scenes proved that Aziz Yıldırım is a more powerful figure amongst Fenerbahçe fans after having spent a year in jail.
The Fener chairman was sentenced to six years in prison, but was released from Metris Prison based on time served.

When head judge announced that Yıldırım would be released, the atmosphere in the courtroom was akin to a stadium just after a team has scored a dramatic goal. A few minutes later, Ekinci announced that Yıldırım had been convicted, but even the fact that the chairman could enter the prison again if his appeal is rejected could not put Fenerbahçe fans – both inside and outside the courtroom - off.

Fenerbahçe fans, just like Yıldırım, believed all along that the case was an attempt to dethrone the president and take over the club chair. They have staged many protests and confronted the police, which was highly rare for Turkish football fans, and waited for the end of the case. There is a good chance that Yıldırım, now a convicted man, might go to jail again. But yesterday’s scenes showed that even if he loses his chair and a fresh face takes over, Yıldırım will remain the true chairman of the club – at least in Fenerbahçe fans’ hearts.

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Verdicts on key names in football rigging case
ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

A total of 48 football club officials, players and coaches were found guilty of match-fixing, while 44 people were cleared of charges. Below are verdicts on some of the key names in the case.

-Fenerbahçe chief Aziz Yıldırım: Sentenced to six years and three months in prison and given a penalty of one million Turkish liras for match-fixing and forming an unarmed crime gang.

-Fenerbahçe vice chairman Şekip Mosturoğlu: Sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison for match-fixing; is acquitted of crime gang membership charges.

-Fenerbahçe official İlhan Ekşioğlu: Sentenced to four years, four months and 15 days in prison and given a penalty of 900.000 Turkish liras for match-fixing.

-Former Giresunspor chairman Olgun Peker: Sentenced to two years and six months for forming and leading an crime gang.

-Former Eskişehirspor coach Bülent Uygun: Sentenced to 11 months and seven days in prison for accepting bribes.

-Bursaspor player Gökçek Vederson: Sentenced to five months in prison for accepting bribes.

-Former Istanbul BB player İbrahim Akın: Sentenced to one year and six months in prison for match-fixing and accepting bribes.

-Former Eskişehirspor player Ümit Karan: Sentenced to seven months and 15 days in prison and given a penalty of 66.000 Turkish liras for accepting bribes.

-Former Eskişehirspor player Mehmet Yıldız: Sentenced to one year and three months in prison for match-fixing.

-Former Beşiktaş official Serdar Adalı: Sentenced to one year and three months in prison and given a penalty of 250.000 Turkish liras for match-fixing.

-Former Beşiktaş coach Tayfur Havutçu: Sentenced to one year and three months in prison and given a penalty of 100.000 Turkish liras for match-fixing.

-Trabzonspor chairman Sadri Şener and board member Nevzat Şakar: Cleared of charges of match-fixing attempts.

-Gençlerbirliği goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge: Cleared of charges of match-fixing.

-Former Bursaspor player Sercan Yıldırım: Cleared of charges of match-fixing.

-Former Eskişehirspor player Sezer Öztürk: Cleared of charges of match-fixing. (ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News)

World number one Sharapova knocked out of Wimbledon

AP photo

Russia's Maria Sharapova was beaten 6-4 6-3 by Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the fourth round of Wimbledon today.

The Russian world number one had been bidding to become the first player since Serena Williams in 2002 to win the French Open-Wimbledon double in the same year but was undone by a stream of unforced errors in the rain-disrupted match on Court One.
(LONDON - Reuters)

Fenerbahçe chairman convicted in match-fixing case but set for release

Aziz Yıldırım. AA photo

Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım was sentenced today to six years in prison and fined 1.3 million Turkish Liras on charges of "forming a criminal organization" and "match fixing," but was set to be released later in the day based on time served.

Yıldırım's return to jail to serve his sentence will depend on the appeals process. The court also banned Yıldırım from continuing to direct Fenerbahçe, although the prohibition is subject to the appeals court approving the sentence against him.

Fellow Fenerbahçe official İlhan Ekşioğlu was sentenced to three years and one month in jail but was also released. Another high-profile suspect, former Beşiktaş director Serdar Adalı, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison on match fixing while Trabzonspor Chairman Sadri Şener was acquitted.

Yıldırım responded with a Fenerbahçe motto when asked what his final words were. "I trust the Turkish judges and prosecutors. Even standing at the gallows, our final word will be 'Fenerbahçe.' I want my acquittal," he said.

Fenerbahçe fans spent the night in front of the courthouse in Istanbul's Çağlayan neighborhood in a show of solidarity with Yıldırım.

The judge is expected to read the verdict after the suspects have their final say.

The landmark case, which became public after the first wave of detentions took place on July 3, 2011, was the first time high-profile Turkish teams and officials had become involved in such a probei which began on the back of allegations from Istanbul police that several games from the 2010-2011 Spor Toto Super League had been manipulated.

A total of 93 footballers, coaches and officials were listed as suspects in the indictment. The prosecutor has been seeking jail time for 21 people.

Prosecutor Ufuk Ermertcan is seeking prison terms for several members of Fenerbahçe and Trabzonspor, as well as players from Eskişehirspor, Sivasspor, Gençlerbirliği and Bursaspor, for their alleged involvement in the manipulation of league games. Two officials from Beşiktaş are also listed as suspects for their alleged attempts to manipulate the team’s 2011 Ziraat Turkish Cup victory over Istanbul BB.

Yıldırım, who is arguably the most powerful man in Turkish football, is the highest-profile name in the case and has been jailed pending charges since early July 2011.

Former Giresunspor chairman and alleged mob leader Olgun Peker and player agent Yusuf Turanlı are the remaining people jailed pending charges.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) made its own investigation into the scandal and decided that there were efforts to manipulate some matches but that they were “not reflected on the pitch.”

The TFF cleared all 16 Turkish clubs, including Fenerbahçe, of involvement in the alleged match-fixing scandal, but it has banned players and club officials for manipulating and attempting to manipulate games.

Former Istanbul BB player İbrahim Akın got the biggest ban, receiving a suspension from football for two years for manipulating a Fenerbahçe-Istanbul BB match. (ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News)

Spain crushes Italy 4-0 in Euro 2012 final

AP Photo

Spain trounced Italy 4-0 in the European Championship final on Sunday, extending its reign as the best team in world football.

Goals from David Silva and Jordi Alba in the first half gave Spain a convincing lead. Fernando Torres and fellow substitute Juan Mata added late goals.

Italy was down to 10 men after the 64th minute. The team had used its substitutes when Thiago Motta was taken off due to injury.

The victory lifted Spain to a record third straight major title, after winning Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Spain even allowed Italy the majority of first-half possession, yet its trademark quick passing game was lethal when required.

Spain captain Iker Casillas was outstanding in keeping Italy’s attack at bay.
(KIEV - Agence France-Presse)

Turkish track & fielder wins gold in women's 1,500m

Turkish track and fielder Asli Cakir Alptekin won the gold medal in women's 1,500m in the European Athletics Championship in Helsinki.

Turkish track and fielder Asli Cakir Alptekin won Sunday the gold medal in women's 1,500m in the European Athletics Championship in Helsinki, Finland.

Alptekin earned Turkey its fourth gold at the European event in 4:05.31 as another Turkish athlete, Gamze Bulut who also competed in women's 1,500, won the silver medal in 4:06.04.

Earlier, Turkey's Gulcan Mingir in women's 3,000m steeplechase, Polat Kemboi Arikan in men's 10,000m and Nevin Yanit in women's 100m hurdles clinched golds. (Anatlia News Agency)

Topal signs four-year contract with Fenerbahçe

Portugal's player Joao Moutinho in action against Turkey's Mehmet Topal (L) and Bekir Irtegun (R) during the friendly soccer match between Portugal and Turkey at Luz Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 02 June 2012. EPA/MARIO CRUZ

Turkish midfielder Mehmet Topal has inked a four-year contract with Istanbul club Fenerbahçe.

Fenerbahçe will pay a transfer fee of 4.5 million euros to Spanish side Valencia, according to a club announcement.

The Istanbul club reported that it had successfully concluded its talks with the Turkish midfielder, who spent two years with Valencia after moving there from Galatasaray. (Hurriyet Daily News)

Saudi Arabia to allow women to compete in 2012 Olympics

Saudi Arabia has said it will allow women to compete at the the London Olympics after the IOC received growing demands to ban the country from the Games. Photograph: Ali Jarekji/Reuters/Corbis

Saudi embassy statement reveals country's Olympic commitee will oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify

Saudi Arabia has said it will allow women to compete at the the London Olympics after the IOC received growing demands to ban the country from the Games. Photograph: Ali Jarekji/Reuters/Corbis
Saudi Arabia has announced that it is to allow female citizens to take part in the Olympic Games this summer for the first time in the country's history.

The move comes only months after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced calls to ban the country from London 2012 after the Saudi Olympic chief appeared to rule out sending women athletes to the Games.

However, a statement released by the Saudi embassy to the BBC said that the Saudi Olympic committee will "oversee participation of women athletes who can qualify".

The decision, backed by the Saudi ruler, King Abdullah, was taken 10 days ago but the announcement was delayed due to the death of the Saudi heir to the throne, Crown Prince Nayef, according to the BBC.

The Saudi regime, which closed private gyms for women in 2009 and 2010 and severely limits women's ability to undertake physical activity, has been under mounting international pressure to adopt a more liberal approach.

Tessa Jowell, the former culture secretary and Olympics minister – who is now a member of the Olympic board – said in February that the Saudis were "clearly breaking the spirit of the Olympic charter's pledge to equality" with their attitude to women in sport and the Games.

Jowell spoke out after a report by Human Rights Watch highlighted the way in which Saudi Arabian women and girls are denied the right to sport.

An equestrian jumping contestant, Dalma Malhas, 18, is likely to be Saudi Arabia's only female athlete to qualify for this summer's Games in London which get underway on 27 July.

As recently as February, the Saudi Olympic committee president, Prince Nawaf bin Faisal, said he was "not endorsing" female participation in London as part of the official delegation.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei have all never had a female athlete at the Olympics although Qatar has already announced it will send a three-woman team to London. (guardian)

Fenerbahçe back in Champion's League

AA Photo

Turkish football team Fenerbahçe will be allowed to compete in this year’s Champions League, UEFA announced today.

Fener fans were overjoyed by UEFA's call to allow the team to compete.

The club had been going through a rough patch over the past year as a result of a match-fixing scandal that had already seen it banned from last year’s Champions League.

Over the weekend, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor, teams also involved in legal troubles over the nationwide match-fixing cases, were cleared to play in European competitions.

Beşiktaş, Bursaspor and Gaziantepspor, was all excluded from playing in European competitions for financial misdemeanors, although the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) lifted Bursa’s ban earlier today. (Hurriyet Daily News)

Beşiktaş appeals UEFA ban

Fikret Orman, chairman of financially troubled Beşiktaş, speaks at a meeting. AA photo

Beşiktaş filed an official appeal at the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) against a suspension by European football’s governing body, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), to play in European competitions next season, the Istanbul club announced yesterday.

Last month, Beşiktaş, along with Bursaspor and Gaziantepspor, was excluded from playing in European competitions for financial misdemeanors.

Club lawyer Emin Özkurt has said “the delays in payments to players” were the biggest reason for the ban.

Over the weekend, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor were cleared to play in European competitions, but the UEFA has yet to make an announcement on Beşiktaş and Bursaspor, as well as Fenerbahçe, who was embroiled in a match-fixing scandal.

Turkish Football Federation vice chairman Ufuk Özerten said he “believed” Super League runner-up Fenerbahçe would play in the Champions League qualifiers, but that the UEFA was taking more time to decide on its case because the club’s files “were numerous.”

Last season, Fenerbgahçe had been barred from playing in the Champions League following a TFF decision upon an incentive by the UEFA. (ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News)

Istanbul in search of logo for 2020 Olympic bid

Hürriyet Photo.

Istanbul is looking for a logo in its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and wants the public to help decide.

Istanbul's 2020 bid committee said today it has posted five logos on its website as part of a poll in the next week.

Ottoman tulip design is the main theme in four of the logos, while the fifth uses a colorful, traditional tile-art design.

Hasan Arat, head of the 2020 bid, says in a statement on the committee's website that the logo will help Turkey promote its "dream" of hosting an Olympics that spans Europe and Asia.

Istanbul, Tokyo and Madrid were shortlisted by the IOC last month. The host of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympic Games will be announced on Sept. 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
(Ankara-The Associated Press)

Russia fined for fan violence at Euro 2012 match

AFP Photo

UEFA has fined the Russian football association $150,000 after its fans attacked stadium stewards at a European Championship match.

UEFA says Russia could be deducted six points in its Euro 2016 qualifying group for a repeat offense. The probationary period expires at the end of Euro 2016 qualifying.

Russian fans were filmed fighting with stadium staff in Wroclaw after a 4-1 win over the Czech Republic last Friday. Police said violence flared when stewards tried to detain a man they believed threw a firecracker.

Russia's fine was also imposed for the thrown firework and because fans displayed nationalist flags.

UEFA rules hold football associations responsible for their fans' behavior inside stadiums.
(WARSAW, Poland - The Associated Press)

Beşiktaş denies Denizli deal as club's TV channel withdraws news

Hürriyet photo

Beşiktaş football club denied reports saying that it had reached a deal with former Turkish national team coach Mustafa Denizli, moments after the club-owned BJK TV broke the news of an agreement.

BJK TV withdrew its breaking news while the club announced that an agreement was "not yet final," broadcaster NTV reported.

Denizli, a former Beşiktaş coach, has been working with Iran’s Persepolis team.

Beşiktaş has been without a coach since the club parted ways with Tayfur Havutçu last month.
(Istanbul-Hurriyet Daily News)

Beşiktaş claims basketball title

Beşiktaş Milangaz players celebrate after clinching the Beko Baskteball League title following a 80-76 victory over Anadolu Efes. The Istanbul club won the best-of-seven finals series 4-2 while Anadolu Efes players failed to appear to receive their second-place medals. AA photo

Carlos Arroyo posts 18 points and eight assists to carry Beşiktaş Milangaz to its first Turkish Basketball League title since 1975. I congratulate my players who put in a great fight since the first day, says Beşiktaş coach Ataman

Beşiktaş Milangaz won its first Turkish championshipin 37 years after edging Anadolu Efes 80-76 at Abdi İpekçi Sports Hall on June 11 to claim the best-of-seven finals 4-2.

The Beko Basketball League title came as quite a surprise for the Istanbul club in a season marred with financial troubles and a European competition ban imposed on its football team for violating financial fair play rules.

Carlos Arroyo starred with 18 points and eight assists, while Erwin Dudley and Zoran Erceg added 15 points apiece to pace the winners, who celebrated with passion after the final buzzer.

Anadolu Efes players failed to appear to receive their second-place medals, while Captain Kerem Tunçeri was alone on the court to receive the runner-up trophy.

The game was close down the stretch and Efes had a shot to tie it, but missed, allowing Dudley to seal the win from the line. Pops Mensah-Bonsu added 10 points and eight rebounds, while David Hawkins tallied 10 points and eight assists for the winners. Tunçeri led Efes with 22 points, followed by Oliver Lafayette with 13 and Kerem Gönlüm with 10 in defeat.

Historical season

Beşiktaş coach Ergin Ataman told reporters on the court after the game that a historical season was over.

“It has been a very difficult season; I congratulate my players who put in a great fight since the first day. We are now a part of Beşiktaş history and Turkish basketball history. I call on millions of Beşiktaş supporters to celebrate this great achievement,” said Ataman, recalling that Beşiktaş Milangaz completed the season with three trophies, including the Turkish Cup and Eurochallenge.

Ataman, however, did challenge the club administration to outline its plans for next season as soon as possible, especially in the wake of the club’s financial issues.

“If they want to keep this team, they should inform us about the plans as of tomorrow,” the successful coach said. “If the club will continue dealing with major financial problems, I will not be here. The ball is now in the administration’s and chairman’s court.”

Efes started well and held Beşiktaş without a basket for more than three minutes, but a Hawkins three-pointer evened the game at 8-8 midway through the opening quarter. The score remained tight and Arroyo lifted the hosts to their first lead, 20-18, with a three-pointer at the end of the first quarter.

Slim leads

Beşiktaş then held slim leads through much of the second quarter and reached the break leading 40-39 on a Dudley basket in the last second of the half. Lafayette tied the game with a triple and then gave Efes its first lead of the second half, 46-44.

After multiple lead changes, a Tunçeri triple left the teams all square at 61-61 through three quarters. The fourth quarter featured six lead changes and two ties with neither team taking a lead of more than three until Beşiktaş’s Serhat Çetin nailed a clutch three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining that made it 74-69.

A Tunçeri three-pointer gave Efes hope at 78-76 with nine seconds to go. Efes sent Çetin to the line, but he made only one, which left Efes a chance to tie it. However after a timeout, Sasha Vujacic forced a shot from the corner and missed, setting the stage for Dudley’s free throw with six seconds remaining to cap the victory. (Istanbul-Hürriyet Daily News)

Iraqi Kurdish team beats North Cyprus, claiming 'unrecognized' world cup

The national team of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq beats Northern Cypriot national team in Arbil to claim the title at the 2012 Viva World Cup

While all eyes in the football world are on the European Football Championships in Poland and Ukraine, a world cup silently found its new owner over the weekend.

The national team of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, which played under the name “Kurdistan,” beat Northern Cyprus, or Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as it was named in the tournament, 2-1 late June 9 to claim the trophy at the fifth edition of VIVA World Cup.

The VIVA World Cup brings together football associations unaffiliated with world football’s governing
body FIFA, which does not accept the federations of countries that are not internationally recognized as members. The TRNC, established in 1983 following a Turkish military intervention on the island in 1974, is recognized only by Turkey, while “Kurdistan” has yet to declare independence from Iraq.

The participants of the 2012 VIVA World Cup also included “national teams” from Zanzibar, Darfur, Occitania and Provence.

The final game played in Franso Hariri Stadium in the northern Iraqi province of Arbil’s was more than just a football match, according to Arbil Governor Nawzad Hadi.

“The important thing is that the game is in Kurdistan,” Hadi told Rudaw news agency during the game’s halftime. “It’s the first time we’ve received international teams here. We are happy because we are part of Iraq, but at the same time you can see the football is going well, with the people, the security, and the media – you can see how Kurdistan has developed; it’s a normal place like everywhere else.”

Northern Cyprus on int’l stage

The tournament is also a rare opportunity for Northern Cyprus to be able to play at the international level.

“Football has no boundaries, football should not be political,” Turkish Consul General to Erbil Aydın Selcen, who also watched the final game, was quoted as saying by Rudaw. “[But] the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is denied the right to play any games outside their country; so it’s a good opportunity for them.”

That is precisely the idea behind the VIVA event, according to Christian Michels, President and Founding Member of the Nouvelle Federation Board, which organizes the biennial VIVA World Cup.

“VIVA is for nations, territories, peoples, islands – it’s open to all these territories which are not able to play in FIFA. [It’s driven by] passion, passion for football – to allow these people to play at the international level.”

Northern Iraq sees the tournament as an opportunity to cement its place in the football world. “This could be the first step towards achieving Kurdistan membership in FIFA,” Safin Kanebi, head of the Kurdistan Football Federation (KFF), told Rudaw. (ARBILHürriyet Daily News)