Yobo’s club boss jailed
The chairman of Joseph Yobo’s Turkish club Fenerbahce was
sentenced to more than six years in jail in a match-fixing trial which has
caused turmoil in the country's domestic league.
Aziz Yildirim was one of a host of defendants, including
club executives and players, convicted in a case closely watched by European
football's ruling body Uefa amid speculation they could bring their own
sanctions against those found guilty.
A Turkish court sentenced Yildirim to three years and nine
months for match-fixing and two years and six months for forming an illegal
organisation, but released him on bail pending an appeal.
Hundreds of Fenerbahce fans outside the court in central Istanbul ,
many dressed in the club's blue-and-yellow shirts, initially celebrated the
news that Yildirim was to be released but fell quiet as news of his conviction
emerged.
Yildirim has denied the allegations against him, arguing
that they were specifically designed to undermine the 18-times domestic champions.
The scandal erupted last July, when police raids led to the
detention of dozens of people including Yildirim, who was subsequently accused
of being a gang leader while other charges ranged from match-fixing to paying
bribes.
Fenerbahce were barred from the Champions League last season
but avoided being stripped of their domestic title and relegated to a lower
league, which many thought would happen.
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