Turkish Football Federation head steps down

Mehmet Ali Ayd?nlar stepped down from his post as the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president and two TFF vice chairmen resigned in a surprising move yesterday.

Ayd?nlar and Vice Chairmen Göksel Gümü?da? and Lütfi Ar?bo?an announced their decision to step down through a brief statement on the TFF website.

The TFF set the date Feb. 27 for the election of a new president. Until that date, TFF Executive Board Member Hüsnü Güreli will be caretaker chairman.
 
“I cannot stand the atmosphere where there is no trust, where many people and institutions act without ethics,” Ayd?nlar said in a statement. ”The point we are at is in deep contrast with my views in life and ethics, so I’ve decided to leave in order to raise attention to the situation.”

Ayd?nlar and his board came under intense pressure following last week’s General Convention, but after an emergency meeting Jan. 30, it was announced the current board would remain at the helm.
“The TFF board will show utmost respect to the Ethics Committee, Disciplinary Committee and Arbitrary Committee,” a statement said, referring to the match-fixing investigation.

A total of 93 football players, coaches and club officials are listed as suspects in the ongoing match-fixing case, as part of which eight teams risk being relegated from the top-flight.


/Hurriyet Daily News/