ASTANA: The Turkish football federation, and not UEFA, is responsible for domestic disciplinary action against matchfixing writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

That stance, on behalf of the European federation, was set out by president Michel Platini after the 60th anniversary congress in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Last year UEFA suspended Turkish clubs Fenerbahce and Besiktas from European club competition for two years and one year respectively The bans were upheld by both the UEFA appeals commission and the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Continuing controversy has raged in Turkey over the long-running matchfix saga which now dates back three years. Fenerbahce supporters have claimed that UEFA has no grounds to sanction a club which has not been subject to any punishment by its own federation.

Contradiction

Platini, asked about the apparent contradiction, said that UEFA had taken its own decision on the basis of evidence presented.

He added: “We have taken our responsibility regarding the clubs in UEFA competition. Afterwards this is a question for the Turkish federation. It’s their problem. You have to ask this the question of the president of the president.”

Earlier UEFA Congress reiterated its opposition to all forms of corruption and racism.

Platini’s annual report set out a will to eradicate “scourges such as racism and all kinds of discrimination, match-fixing and all forms of sports fraud.”

It pointed up the role of better education, prevention and punishment as the main tools to combat such threats.

Last year UEFA urged all governments to legislate against sports fraud. Reiterating the need for such a step, it added: “Football authorities are not equipped to solve the problem of match-fixing on their own.”

Integrity officers

In addition to a betting fraud detection system and the establishment of the integrity officer network, UEFA has implemented a four-language hotline and, from July 1, will launch a seven-language integrity website to support the reporting process via UEFA.org.

The fight against doping also remained a priority. Blood tests had been introduced from 2013-14 within the anti-doping programme.

The Executive Committee has also expressed concern about the increase in the number of disciplinary cases arising from UEFA competition matches, as well as the related increase in appeals.

Congress adopted an 11-point resolution entitled ‘European football united for the integrity of the game’ aimed at tackling match-fixing and corruption.

 

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