The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Charges laid against 93 suspects in Turkish match-fix probe Posted: 03 Dec 2011 07:21 AM PST ISTANBUL, Dec 3 — Prosecutors investigating football match-fixing in Turkey have brought charges against 93 suspects — including the chairman of champions Fenerbahce — in an indictment that mentioned almost all of the country's top clubs, media reported today. More than 30 players and officials, including Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim, have been jailed pending trial since the scandal forced the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to delay the start of the season by a month. Yildirim is accused of "forming an organisation for unjust financial gain" among a raft of charges ranging from larceny to match-fixing and payment of bribes, a statement by Chief Deputy Istanbul Public Prosecutor Fikret Secen said. One of two deputy presidents of the TFF, Goksel Gumusdag, was among those indicted on match-fixing charges. Another suspect, Olgun Peker, an ex-president of club Orduspor, was accused of organising an armed gang. An Istanbul court has 15 days to decide whether the case is strong enough to go to trial, the prosecutors' statement said. Yesterday, President Abdullah Gul vetoed legislation approved by Parliament that would have reduced jail sentences for match-fixing crimes from a maximum 12 years to three years. The president based his decision on concern that the public would view the change in the law as being made to benefit certain individuals, and that the reduced penalties would not act as a sufficient deterrent. The investigation probed alleged manipulation in 19 matches, including Fenerbahce's 4-3 victory over Sivasspor that won the league championship on the final day of last season. Under pressure from UEFA, the Turkish Football Federation barred last term's champions Fenerbahce from this season's Champions League. Last season's runners-up Trabzonspor were entered as Fenerbahce's replacements. Fenerbahce, Turkey's richest and best-supported club, are once again heading the rankings with 12 games played. Other clubs mentioned in the indictment were Besiktas, Trabzonspor, Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi Spor (IBB), Sivasspor, Manisaspor, Giresunspor and Mersin Idman Yurdu. Last term's cup final between Besiktas and IBB is another match under investigation. Winners Besiktas have returned the trophy pending the probe's outcome. With today's fixtures still to be played, out of the top eight in the standings, only second-placed Galatasaray have been untouched by the scandal. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Chelsea beat Newcastle after Lampard penalty miss Posted: 03 Dec 2011 07:05 AM PST LONDON, Dec 3 — Frank Lampard missed a penalty but Didier Drogba scored with a header as Chelsea avoided a sixth defeat in 10 games with a 3-0 win at mourning Newcastle United in the Premier League today. With the home fans paying tribute to late captain Gary Speed, found dead last Sunday at the age of 42, Newcastle looked lively on an emotional end-to-end lunchtime kickoff match at St James' Park.  Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas (second from left) reacts after Salomon Kalou (unseen) scored during their English Premier League match against Newcastle United in Newcastle on December 3, 2011. — Reuters pic In a game that hung in the balance until the closing minutes, they then grabbed two late goals with Salomon Kalou in the 89th and Daniel Sturridge in stoppage time for a more flattering scoreline. The visitors could have been either a man down or two goals up after just 25 minutes of a frenetic first half, with defender David Luiz lucky not to be shown a red card in the fourth for felling Newcastle's Demba Ba on the edge of the area. Ten minutes later and Chelsea looked sure to break the ice when Yohan Cabaye tripped Sturridge as the striker burst into the area. Referee Mike Dean pointed to the penalty spot and Lampard stepped up, only to see his shot tipped against the upright by Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul for his fourth penalty miss in the Premier League. Sturridge was denied by the post two minutes later and then let slip an even better chance when he shot straight at Krul, who kept Newcastle in the game with repeated saves, in the 22nd. At the other end, Chelsea's masked keeper Petr Cech tipped over to deny Ba what would have been a stunning 24th-minute goal and was again in action 10 minutes later when the striker hit the post with the defence in disarray. Drogba made it 1-0 in the 38th and could have doubled his tally in the 52nd while Newcastle had a Sammy Ameobi shot cleared off the line by John Terry 16 minutes from time. Shola Ameobi also hit the bar in the 80th with brother Sammy's follow-up saved by Cech. Newcastle stayed fifth pending later matches. Leaders Manchester City (35 points) were playing at home to Norwich City and Tottenham hosting lowly Bolton Wanderers while second placed Manchester United (30 points) travelled to Aston Villa for the evening game. The rolling advertising hoardings around Newcastle's ground paid tribute to "Gary Speed Legend" before the start with fans chanting his name and a makeshift shrine outside the stadium. Wreaths were laid and a minute's applause held before the Championship (second division) match at Elland Road between Leeds United and Millwall. Speed was a member of the Leeds team that won the last First Division title in 1992, before the start of the Premier League. An emotional Gary McAllister, wiping away tears, joined former team-mates Gordon Strachan and David Batty in laying a wreath on the edge of the centre circle. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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