[Shannon]

Turkey hit with major FIFA sanctions


FIFA have ordered Turkey to play their next six competitive matches behind closed doors and on neutral ground as punishment for the violence which marred their World Cup play-off against Switzerland.

Newcastle midfielder Emre and former Aston Villa defender Alpay, now at Cologne, have been banned for six matches for their part in the clashes in Istanbul on November 16.

Turkey lost the play-off and after the final whistle players and officials were involved in a mass brawl on the pitch and in the tunnel.

The Turkish FA have also been fined €128,677. Switzerland international Benjamin Huggel has been banned for six matches after he was filmed kicking out at Turkey assistant coach Mehmet Ozdilek, who has himself been banned from all football-related activity for a year.

For full Article view www.rtenews.ie

[kusrose]

Wow! Shannon, seems kinda harsh. I hadn't seen this. Usually after Ireland I shout for Turkey next but, cos i don't have Sky TV, I usually only get to read the results rather than actually see the matches. I go to the Pub to see the Irish ones that are on sky or TV3 (can't get that either, very deprived when it comes to sport coverage), can't miss them!!! Keeping an eye on Kevin Doyle at the moment, looks like he's going to be the first Wexford player to play on the Senior Irish Team.

[Umit]

stupid Fifa!

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by Umit

stupid Fifa!

LOL poor Umit, i havnt told Sami yet!

Swiss fume over FIFA punishments

GENEVA, Switzerland -- Switzerland reacted with fury on Wednesday to punishments handed out by FIFA for violence at a World Cup qualifier against Turkey.

The Swiss press almost unanimously declared the Swiss punishments too harsh -- notably a six-game ban for Benjamin Huggel, meaning he will almost certainly miss the entire World Cup -- and Turkey's penalties too lenient.
"A 200,000 franc fine -- that's laughable! Six match bans for Turkey -- that's mild!" said the Zurich-based daily Blick.

Turkey won the game in Istanbul 4-2 but Switzerland advanced on away goals, sparking scuffles between players and coaching staff in the tunnel on the way to the locker room.

FIFA on Tuesday ordered Turkey to play its next six competitive home matches at neutral venues without fans and pay a 200,000 Swiss franc (US$154,000) fine for violence at the World Cup playoff last November.
Three Turkish players were banned for six games and FIFA also suspended Turkey's assistant coach, Mehmet Ozdilek, from "any football-related activity" for a year.

Swiss physiotherapist Stephan Meyer was suspended for two matches and fined 6,500 Swiss francs (US$5,000).

The harshness of Huggel's punishment "surprises and disconcerts me," Swiss coach Koebi Kuhn told Blick, although the soccer association has not yet indicated whether it will appeal against the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

For full story see CNN News at the below link:

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