ISTANBUL: The entire governing board of the Turkish football federation has resigned amid the cleansing of public organisations in the wake of the failed coup against President Erdogan two weeks ago writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Thousands of army commanders, police, university lecturers and teachers have been sacked or suspended under the terms of the state of emergency declared in the immediate aftermath of the reportedly military-led uprising.

A statement from the TFF said that all members of its board had resigned for ‘security checks’. It had also had shared information with relevant state institutions about all its employees, competition organisers and the chairmen and members of its 11 committees.

Committees concerned include the disciplinary, refereeing and the anti-doping panels.

The new season is due to begin on August 13 with the Supercup between champions Besiktas and Galatasaray. A week later comes the scheduled kickoff of the Süper Lig.

More than 60,000 people across all strata of society are reported to have been either detained, suspended or placed under investigation over suspected links with Fethullah Gulen, the United States-based cleric, whom Erdigan has accused of orchestrating the coup.

Gulen, whose extradition is being sought by Turkey, has denied any involvement.

World federation FIFA, which acts swiftly to counter what it considers political interference in domestic federations, said that it was currently “monitoring” the situation.

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