Turkish fourth division club Agri Spor left with only seven players after 17 suspensions in widespread betting scandal investigation.
A football club in the Turkish fourth division said Monday that they did not have a team after 17 of their players were suspended in the investigation into a widespread betting scandal.
“As part of the betting investigation, 17 of our players have been sanctioned, leaving us with only seven players,” Agri Spor posted on social media.
The club, based in Agri close to the Iranian border, play in the bottom rung of the Turkish professional football ladder.
Earlier in November, the Turkish football federation (TFF) suspended 637 fourth-tier players after also sanctioning 25 top-flight players and more than 350 others playing in the second and third divisions for the same reason.
The TFF also suspended play in the third and fourth tiers for two weeks and has suspended 149 referees for illegal betting.
Agri Spor said they would turn to their youth team in order to be able to field a side for their next match.
“Our club has mobilised all its legal and sporting resources throughout this process and has taken all necessary steps to ensure justice is served,” Agri Spor added.
“We will continue to fight under all circumstances.”
Many of the suspended players say they bet on matches several years ago but have stopped doing it.
The Istanbul prosecutor general, who is investigating allegations of match-fixing, has promised to “see this case through to the end”. – AFP
