Prosecutor statements of 4 suspects in the football match-fixing conspiracy investigation revealed: We summoned Fenerbahçe executives

By the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, regarding the case publicly known as the '2011 football match-fixing investigation', in which Fenerbahçe Sports Club's former President Aziz Yıldırım, as well as many people from the sportscommunitywere targeted, the FETÖ/PDY armedterror organization'sterrorist organization member, anumber of former publicofficials, regarding the irregularlyconductedinvestigations and prosecutionsconductedinvestigation continues. Within the scope of the investigation, suspects Lütfi Arıboğan, Ahmet Gülüm, İlhan Helvacı and Ebru Köksal'statements given to the prosecutor's office have been revealed.

"During the period I wasthere, I did not witness anyextraordinary or illegalactions"

SIn her testimony, suspect Ebru Köksal stated that as of December 1,2011, she began her dutiesas the TFFGeneral Secretary and that previously she held certainpositionsat the GalatasaraySports Club.stated. Köksal said, "I already came from the Galatasaray Sports Club and I did not hide this.I carried out myduties at the TFF in a professionalmanner. I do not know Mehmet Baransu.During the period I wasthere, I did notobserve any unusual transactions in the work and procedures carried out."did not see. Everythingwas carried out accordingto the rules. Ihad no informationregarding the presence of FETÖ members within the federation. During the time Iserved,IThroughout the process, I did not witness anyextraordinary procedures. I had limited communication withLütfi Arıboğan," he said.

"The place was practically on fire"

Suspect İlhan Helvacı stated in his testimony that during the match-fixing investigationsstating that he served as the head of the legalboard at the TFF during the process,he stated,"It is out of the question for me to have sent or received any unlawful emails with Mehmet Baransu or any other journalist.On July 3, 2011,after receiving the news that thematch-fixing investigation had begun, almost every daydiscussing this issue. Thesituation was like a wildfire. Manyideas were put forwardbut as the legal team, we based our stance on the presumption of innocence and stated that the investigation was confidential, we could not take statements, and therefore we could not refer them to the PFDK. During the period I wasin office,the FETÖ/PDY ArmedTerrorOrganizationmembers of the terrorist organizationunder the guise of establishing any unlawful transactionto influence I did not witness. My duties at the federationwere to align the federation's regulationswith FIFA regulations and to ensure the federation'scontractscarefully and focused on the point of being prepared carefully. I already continued by goingfor 1 or 2 half-days a weekitwas a duty. I was not involved indaily routine tasks andadministrative affairsat all," he said.

"We had to protect Turkish football"

Suspect Lütfi Arıboğan stated in his testimony that the contents of the emails were sent to Şekip Mosturoğlu by whom and whywas suggestedstating that they did not knowsaying, "After the July 3 processbegan, in the month of Augusta letter from UEFAarrived at the TFF. In this letter, Fenerbahçe'sFenerbahçe's from the Champions League for them to withdraw, and that this decisionshould be taken personally by Fenerbahçe, and if Fenerbahçe does not take it, the TFF should take this decisionotherwise, severe sanctions would be imposedon Turkish football at the national team and clublevels, and in one or two paragraphs, morewas mentioned. they first appliedby giving examples from the countries, we saw that they showed them. Upon this, we summoned the executives fromFenerbahçe Sports Club. Ali Koç and Nihat Özdemir came. We showed it to them. That decisionwould be taken, they sthey said and left. Later, Fenerbahçe did not take such a decision. Later, we as the TFF took this decision. Wehad to protect Turkish football," he said.

Arıboğan stated, "In thosedays, the police departmentwoulddetain every few dayspublishing the names of individuals who were taken into custody and subsequently released. One of the institutions to which the police sentwas the TFF.The person named Mehmet Baransu wasa commentator on the program called 'Telegol' at that time, and our TFF PresidentMehmet Ali Aydınlar had participated in that program by phone. On thatday, the Istanbul Police DepartmentDirectorateby the published detention list stated that 90 people were detained, however, they stated that 60 people were detainedit was determined that they were taken into custody. At the request of President Aydınlar, I also sent the correct list to Mehmet Baransu. This list was sent by the Istanbul Police DepartmentDepartmentto the TFF.It had beensent. At thattime, the police the judicial proceedings carried out during the match-fixing investigation concerned us as well," he stated.

"I have been facing such slanders for 15 years"

In his statement, he said that the federation's trial process hadnot yet begun when they resigned,Arıboğan said,"I have no legal relationship with Mehmet Baransu. I have no knowledge of this person or any other person'sactions regarding the TFF and its boards during that period."by them regarding the match-fixing allegationsconductedinvestigations had no influence whatsoever. The FETÖ/PDY ArmedTerrorist Organization did not have any influence on the TFF at that timeeither. These investigations were entirelyby the lawyers who were on duty and authorized at the TFF at that timewas carried out in accordance with the procedures.NeitherI nor the TFF violated the confidentiality of the investigation in any way. The information and documents you asked me about were already circulating in the newspapers. We learned about them after the confidentiality order was lifted. Throughoutmy career, I was a national athlete. I am a national basketball player who has worn the national jersey 243 times. Afterwards, I worked in high-level sports management.My career as an athlete andmanagerAt every moment that I have been a professional and a businessman, I have never deviated from the law and order.I have neverdeviated. I have been facing similar slanders for 15 years. By my nature, it isimpossible for me to be a member of any organization or to come underanyone's control,it is notpossible," he said.

"Regarding the match-fixing investigations, not a single word wasnot to passit"

Suspect Ahmet Gülüm stated that he did not hold any position at the TFF, adding, "I recall the email in question. The content of this email wasThe statement record of Aziz Yıldırım, which is included in theLütfi Arıboğan was sent to meby. In response to this, I said 'very writing....nauseating and sad' I had written a message like that. I did notrequest the document in question; Lütfi Arıboğan sent it to mehimself. Thereason hesent it was so I could see what was happening. Regarding Lütfi Arıboğan's connectionto the FETÖ terrorist organizationI do not know. He is an athlete. I do not think he is involved in these matters. Ithink. I did notviolate the confidentiality of the investigation, no documents were sent to me by the public officials involved in the match-fixing investigations, and the document you askedme about wascirculating everywhere at that timewas a document, there were many otherdocuments as well. I have no connection to the matter. I am a sports professional workingfor my country. I have been the owner of the 'Sports TV' channel for 15 years. It is achannel open to all ofTurkey. At notime I did not even mention a single word on my television regarding the match-fixinginvestigations," he stated.

News Source: İHA