Turkish Football Federation declare clubs eligible for European Competition

2012-06-01 06:57:34

The Turkish Football Federation announced today that Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Trabzonspor, Beşiktaş and Bursaspor are eligible for European Cup competition in their declaration to UEFA.

Galatasaray will automatically qualify for the Champions League as winners of the 2011-12 league campaign.

Runners-up Fenerbahçe will have to start their Champions League campaign from the third-round. The first leg of their qualification matches will be played on the 31 July - 1 August 2012, the return leg is scheduled for 7-8 August.

The Yellow Canaries will then have to play another qualification round if they qualify. The play-off round of qualification will take place 21-22 August with the return leg being played on 28-29 August.

Trabzonspor will automatically qualify for the Europa League as they finished the league in third place. Forth placed Beşiktaş and Turkish Cup runners-up Bursaspor however, have to wait for the verdict given by, The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding whether they will play in Europe next season.

Beşiktaş were given a one-year suspension from European competition by UEFA for misleading the governing body in the second and third quarters of 2011, non-payment of players wages and and violating articles of the recently implemented financial fair play regulations.

The European governing body also found Bursaspor guilty of late payment of transfer fees for Collins Mbesuma, fined the club €200,000 and gave a one-year suspension ruling the club out of the Europa League next season.

Eskişehirspor and Istanbul BB will replace Beşiktaş and Bursaspor if their appeals are revoked.