(AA) – FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said the soccer authority could get involved in a match-fixing case in Turkey related to the 2010-11 soccer season if the Turkish Football Federation requests it.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency at the 13th SportAccord Convention in the Russian city of Sochi on Tuesday, Blatter said he had evaluated the match-fixing process relating to the 2010-11 football season in the country.
He said: “We are pleased with TFF’s management. I met the President of the Turkish Football Federation in Zurich six or seven weeks ago.
“When it comes to club competition, this is definitely a UEFAÂ matter. If they (the TFF) need our help, we will intervene.”
– Controversial victory
The match-fixing scandal broke out in Turkey after the 2010-11 season in the top division Spor Toto Super League, following a controversial title victory by Istanbul’s Fenerbahce.
Turkish officials conducted technical surveillance and physical observations for eight months before deciding to launch legal action in July 2011.
In August 2013, the Court of Arbitration for Sport approved UEFA’s decision to ban Fenerbahce for two seasons from European tournaments and fellow Istanbul team Besiktas for one season because of match-fixing.
Blatter, 79, said: “Turkey is a big country having a population of more than 70 million. Football is a very popular game and has become a big brand in Turkey.Â
“There are big clubs, big stadiums and great football ambience. It is very hard to control it.”
