Fenerbahce Have European Ban Reduced by UEFA but Besiktas Fail in Appeal

The UEFA Appeals Body has reduced Fenerbahce’s ban from European competitions, denture but fellow Turkish side Besiktas have failed in their appeal.

Both sides were suspended from the next Champions League or Europa League campaigns they qualified for on the basis of match-fixing in the Turkish league in 2011.

Instead of being banned for three seasons, Fenerbahce will now miss only two, including next season’s Champions League campaign.

A statement from UEFA read: “Fenerbahçe SK has had their appeal partially admitted. Consequently, Fenerbahçe SK is excluded from participating in the next two UEFA club competitions for which they would qualify, including the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League.”

Besiktas came under scrutiny for their Turkish Cup final victory over Buyuksehir Belediyespor and UEFA have confirmed that despite their appeal they will still miss out on the 2013-14 Europa League season.

On Besiktas, the UEFA statement said: “Be?ikta? JK has had their appeal rejected. Consequently, Be?ikta? JK is not eligible to participate in the 2013/14 UEFA Europa League.”

Both clubs have the opportunity to appeal the decisions of the UEFA Appeals Body to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).