Besiktas Kicked Out of Europe for Match-Fixing, APOEL Replace Banned Fenerbahce

August 30, 2013

Turkish football club Besiktas have been kicked out of the Europa League after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA’s one-year ban on the club for match-fixing.

Besiktas were banned by UEFA for allegations they had manipulated the result of their 2011 Turkish Cup final win over Buyuksehir Belediyespor. Besiktas won the game on penalties after playing out a 2-2 draw.

The club found themselves temporarily reinstated to the Europa League whilst their appeal was being heard, ed but the CAS has now rejected Besiktas’ claims and have expelled them from the competition for the season.

A CAS statement read: “CAS has today dismissed the appeal filed by Besiktas JK against the decision taken by UEFA to exclude it from the European Europa League 2013-14.

“Due to the urgency of the matter, the CAS Panel has issued its decision without the grounds. The full, reasoned award will be issued as soon as possible.”

The news means that Tromso will be included in the Europa League group stage despite losing 3-2 on aggregate to Besiktas, after UEFA’s emergency panel made the decision to reinstate the Norwegian side.

APOEL replace Fenerbahce

Cypriot club APOEL have also learned that they will take part in the Europa League after being told they will replace Fenerbahce.

Fenerbahce had their banned upheld earlier in the week and were banned from the Europa League, a competition they were set to enter after losing 5-0 on aggregate to Arsenal in their Champions League qualifier.