The Turkish Football Federation has delayed the start of the new football season by more than one month as a result of the ongoing investigation into the widening match-fixing scandal which has now seen more than thirty people arrested for their involvement.
Previously set to kick off on August 7th, the Turkish Football Federation has confirmed that Turkey’s Spor Toto Super League will now begin the 2011/12 season on September 9th, a delay of more than one month.
In addition, Bank Asya 1 League, the second division of the Turkish professional leagues, will begin a day later on September 10th.
The delay to the new football season comes as Turkish football faces up to one of its biggest ever challenges, as serious allegations of match-fixing and corruption have been uncovered by authorities in the country.
More than 30 people are facing charges for their role in the growing scandal, including the president of champions Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim.
This followed an investigation into nineteen domestic football games, thought to include last year’s Turkish Cup final which was won by Besiktas 4-3 on penalties against Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor. The victory enabled Besiktas to complete in next season’s UEFA Europa League.
Earlier this month, European football governing body UEFA said that it was fully aware of the current match-fixing allegations in Turkey surrounding certain clubs, individuals and players, and is monitoring the situation on a daily basis while maintaining close contact with the TFF.
The Turkish Football Federation has already decided to postpone the 6th TFF Super Cup, involving Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş, which was scheduled to be played on July 31st.
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