Turkey to root out 'bad apples'

The Turkish Football Association (TFF) has pledged to root out the "bad apples" after one of the country's top referees was accused of having connections with organised crime.

'Taking bribes'
Last week a court had the top official arrested as part of an inquiry looking into the fixing of some 1. Lig matches. Since then the same referee has been accused of "organising/forming a gang" and "taking bribes". As part of the ongoing investigation, other referees, football journalists and officials have also been interviewed.

Anti-corruption campaign
The probe follows a wave of anti-corruption campaigns in Turkey which have so far been aimed at banks, city councils and the security forces. The controversy began when the Turkish daily Milliyet revealed how organised crime bosses had been earning money by placing bets on Turkish league matches on the internet and by fixing the games with the appropriate referees.

'Full confidence'
Under mounting public pressure, the referees demanded backing from the TFF hierarchy - whose positions had also been put in doubt by the scandal - and got it. TFF deputy chief Ata Aksu said: "We have full confidence in our referees. As a community referees have been harmed by recent events. It is our duty and that of our referees to clean out the rotten apples." He went on to claim that the TFF was cooperating with the judicial inquiry and was carrying out its own investigation which will cover games from the entire Turkish league over a number of years.

'I carried it to the skies'
TFF president Haluk Ulusoy, under mounting pressure to resign, was defiant: "It is as if Turkish football was at its peak and we came and knocked it down. I took Turkish football from the bottom and carried it to the skies. I am not going to resign on the wishes of a few people."

Further action
According to Ata, however, the replaying of the fixed matches, mentioned in connection with the inquiry, will not occur. TFF attorney Sekip Mosturoglu said: "Upon the report, the executive committee will decide on further action. If match-fixing is proved, then punishments will follow in accordance with the disciplinary regulations."