TFF denies match-fixing allegations in Rapid Wien - Slovacko match

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has rejected allegations of match-fixing during a friendly match played between Rapid Wien and FC Slovacko in Antalya on Thursday, January 18.

It was reported that the friendly match, organized between the Rapid Wien and FC Slovacko clubs currently holding training camps in Belek, Antalya, was officiated by Turkish referees and that Rapid Wien defeated Slovacko 2-1. However, the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung claimed that betting mafias had interfered in the match, alleging that three penalties were awarded during the game.

According to a report on NTV, it was alleged that 80 thousand euros were wagered on the bet that more than two goals would be scored in the match officiated by Turkish referees. It was further claimed that the Rapid Wien club had notified the Austrian Football Association, and Slovacko had notified the Czech Football Association, regarding the alleged match-fixing.

The TFF issued a statement regarding the allegations that the referees had engaged in match-fixing during the Rapid Wien - Slovacko match, denying these claims.

The statement is as follows:

"A statement has become necessary regarding the allegations concerning the friendly match played on Thursday, January 18, between Austria's SK Rapid Wien and Czechia's 1. FC Slovacko, who are holding training camps in Belek, Antalya.

No application for permission was made to the Turkish Football Federation by either of the two clubs or their respective national federations regarding this friendly match held in Turkey. As no application was made to the TFF by the relevant national federations or the two clubs, the match in question was played without the knowledge of the TFF.

For this reason, since the match in question falls outside the scope of the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches and does not hold 'approved friendly match status,' no referees were appointed to the match by the TFF.

An investigation has determined that the person who officiated the match in question does not hold a valid referee license visa and is not an active referee within the TFF. The necessary legal process regarding the match in question has been initiated."