New step from the ECHR regarding Fenerbahçe's old championships: 5 questions posed
The European Court of Human Rights has requested an explanation from Turkey regarding Fenerbahçe's pre-1959 championships. In a letter sent to the Ministry of Justice, the court requested answers to five questions.
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Fenerbahçe had applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for the recognition of the nine championships it won before 1959. Following this application, the ECHR sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice requesting answers to five questions regarding the process.
Fenerbahçe had applied to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) on 06.03.2021, requesting that the total number of championships be increased to 28 and the number of stars on the crest be raised to 5.
Furthermore, stating that these championships should be reflected in broadcasting revenues, the club demanded 11.1 million Dollars in compensation for lost income since 2005, including interest. However, the TFF Board of Directors did not respond to this request and implicitly rejected it. Fenerbahçe's appeal to the Arbitration Board was also rejected on the grounds that no action could be taken on an unanswered request.
ECHR ASKED THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
The TFF had announced that it had established a special commission to examine the pre-1959 championships. However, no progress has been made on this matter despite two years having passed. Upon this, Fenerbahçe applied to the ECHR, claiming that the rights to a fair trial and property were violated.
The ECHR posed the following questions to the Government of the Republic of Turkey:
1) Is the registration of Fenerbahçe's pre-1959 championships in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights?
2) Does the Arbitration Board's rejection of the application violate the right of access to a court?
3) Are Fenerbahçe's complaints compatible with the provisions of the protocol on the right to property?
4) Has Fenerbahçe's right to property been violated?
5) Is there a legal basis for the TFF to set 1959 as the starting year? Is there an effective domestic legal remedy available?
Following the responses to these questions, the ECHR will issue its final decision on the matter, and the issue of pre-1959 championships will be clarified.