Nazilli Belediyespor President speaks out on match-fixing allegations

In the 37th week of the TFF 2nd League White Group, Ankaraspor and Nazilli Belediyespor drew 0-0. Following this result, the black-and-white team increased their points to 38 and managed to remain in the league. Ankaraspor, on the other hand, secured a Play-Off spot with 57 points. Zonguldak Kömürspor, which was in 16th place in the league, became the final team to be relegated.

Following the match, Zonguldak Kömürspor applied to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) with allegations that the match was fixed. The TFF has launched an investigation into the match. Nazilli Belediyespor Club President Şahin Kaya made statements regarding the match, which caused a wide stir in the Turkish football community, stating that the Zonguldak Kömürspor side had launched an ugly perception operation. Şahin Kaya categorically denied the match-fixing allegations and targeted the Zonguldak Kömürspor community.

Noting that the result obtained is something seen in the ordinary course of football, President Kaya said; "It also happened in the Galatasaray-Sturm Graz match in the Champions League in the 2000-2001 season. It is very normal for both teams not to take risks and to pass the ball around when 1 point is enough. Statistics are being shared that there were no shots in the match. In the match where Vanspor won 6-1, all the statistics were zero. Statistics for the 2nd and 3rd leagues are not kept on these platforms."

ZONGULDAK IS TRYING TO COVER UP ITS FAILURE

Stating that the Zonguldak Kömürspor management is trying to cover up their own incompetence with match-fixing allegations, Kaya said; "We had 3 points deducted for 2 million 300 thousand TL. Zonguldak had 3 points deducted for 800 thousand TL. If their 3 points had not been deducted, they would have stayed in the league today. It is said that we fixed the match with Ankaraspor to cover up their own failures. We absolutely do not agree with this. We also condemn it. There is no question of us having a match-fixing bargain with anyone. Zonguldak fans should look for the fault in their own management," he said.

WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX MATCHES

Emphasizing that they do not have the money to fix matches in a season where they are struggling with economic difficulties, the Nazilli Belediyespor President continued his statement by saying, "We don't have the money to fix matches. The whole public knows this. We are a management that has built a team with very modest amounts. I don't think anyone will give credence to these perceptions. It is very normal for both teams not to take risks. In the 25th minute, our brother Serhat Aslan tore his cruciate ligaments. If it was such a match, why did my brother tear his cruciate ligaments?"

THEY WILL BE CRUSHED UNDER IT

Speaking about the incident between Tibet Öniz and his opponent İbrahim Sürgülü in the final minutes, President Şahin Kaya said, "During the duel, a swear word came out of Tibet's mouth. The reaction of the Ankaraspor players was to the swear word that came out of his mouth. Tibet also said that he said that swear word due to the position. 'I apologized, we closed the issue,' he said. Another player there was reacting, saying 'our friend is injured, why didn't you kick the ball out?' They cannot pin anything on us from these. We finished this season with our heads held high. Nazillispor is a big community. We may be a district team, they may be a provincial team, their lobby may be politically stronger, but Nazillispor is a heavy stone; they will be crushed under it," he said.

WHILE ZONGULDAK SENDS INCENTIVES...

Bringing up the allegations that incentive bonuses have been sent to their own opponents and the teams Zonguldak Kömürspor played against for 4 weeks, and that money was given to referees, Kaya said, "We were butchered in the Karacabey match, you know. We could have come out there and rebelled, saying 'Zonguldak management is fixing matches, sending incentives, that's why we are losing.' But we didn't hide behind any excuses. Their direct rival was Serik Belediyespor; if they had won, there would have been no problem. This is the failure of the Zonguldak Kömürspor management," he said.

THEY CAN INVESTIGATE AS MUCH AS THEY WANT

Giving an example from the Darıca Gençlerbirliği-Kızılcabölükspor rivalry 3 seasons ago, Kaya said, "The Darıca president confessed that he fixed the match. The Federation launched an investigation into this at that time as well. While everything was clear, no penalty was given to Darıca. Kızılcabölükspor was left with its relegation. While there was an openly committed match-fixing, nothing happened; we didn't even have an attempt at match-fixing. We don't think anything will come of these. They can investigate as much as they want. We have never had any money traffic or meetings with anyone," he said.