6 Jul 2011

19 remanded in match-fixing probe

6:36 am on 6 July 2011

Turkish police have detained about 60 individuals, including the chairman of the country's champion football club Fenerbahce, in a match-fixing probe which has sent shockwaves through the country, and triggered uncertainty for a multi-billion dollar league.

Prosecutors have asked an Istanbul court to remand 19 individuals in custody including the Turkish international striker Mehmet Yildiz.

The prosecutor handling the case says the investigation may take a long time.

The Turkish league is scheduled to start in a month, and UEFA has set a deadline of the 15th of this molnth for Turkey to confirm their team for the third Champions League qualifying round.