The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) plans to give the thrill back to football, shadowed by the match fixing scandal by changing the format of the top football league, instating a playoff system to determine the champion.

Hoping to give the game, which is hurt by the ongoing match fixing probe, the TFF is planning to instate a playoff system to turkish football league. The plan apparently targets giving the turkish league an increased thrill after the competition saw its image tarnished by match fixing claims.

The TFF is preparing to instate a system of playoffs at the end of the regular season to determine the champions in the Spor Toto Super League in an effort to breathe some life into the Turkish football, which has been severely tarnished by recent match-fixing probe scandal.

Turkish Football : Attempts to negate the effects of Match Fixing Scandal

The Turkish football world has been divided into two with the federation’s unexpected and unforeseen new plan as football pundits and clubs are already at odds because of an ongoing match-fixing probe. The TFF last week announced that it will wait for an indictment to be completed before delivering any verdicts even though the probe put senior managers and coaches behind bars and questioned footballers as suspects. It is argued that the new plan aims to eliminate the possibility of match-rigging in the final weeks of the league.

According to new system, the four teams that finish the 34-week season on the top of the league would play against each other in a playoff stage. The top team and the runner-up will earn berths in the Champions League while the third place holder will go to the UEFA Europa League. ( the latter two to play prelimanaries respectively) The fourth place holder and the team which comes first in the playoff games between fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place holders will face each other in order to win the one remaining tickets for the Europa League. The more successful teams during the regular season, however, will start at a comparative advantage in the playoff.

The TFF board announced the plan, which has been drafted taking the Belgium league as a model, at an iftar (fast-breaking dinner) event held by Digiturk, broadcaster of the Turkish Super League. It was Digiturk that demanded an alteration in the league’s format as the digital satellite platform company will suffer from a drop in revenues due to the match-fixing scandal. Digiturk provides the league with $400 million in funds anually.

Turkish Football League : Change into playoff system

The TFF claims the new plan will increase competition in the turkish league. UEFA Vice President Şenes Erzik called the playoff system a “risk” while Galatasaray is negative, unlike Beşiktaş. Fenerbahçe’s coach Aykut Kocaman finds the plan fair. Trabzonspor is not in favor or against the project as the club raises an eyebrow over every move of the federation.The fact the playoff model is taken from Europe’s so called lower leagues raises eyebrows from football authorities in Turkey.

Trabzonspor Chairman Sadri Şener slammed the Turkish Football Federation and Fenerbahce immediately. “For the TFF, there are only three big clubs [Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş]. I am not against the project, but I am against the federation. They made the decision over match-fixing only for Fenerbahce. Ali Koç and Nihat Özdemir [senior Fenerbahçe managers] are like secretaries of the federation,” .

A former TFF Vice President declared finding the plan of change odd that such a big sytem changer was discussed at a dinner event. He added that England, Germany or Spain would have considered it if it was worth a try. “Let us see how the leagues of leading football nations are being played. They don’t have such a system in those countries.

Turkish football clubs sceptical of Federation’s plan

Galatasaray board member Sedat Dogan cited his worries that the new plan will not contribute to Turkish football. He adds that Galatasaray will make an official announcement regarding the planned alterations following a board meeting on Tuesday. ” That is an attempt to change the agenda ” general Galatasaray attitude toward the change.

Besiktas Istanbul’s Vice Chairman states the new plan is important for the broadcaster. While noting that Besiktas is positive towards the change of system, he adds the system can be changed back if the playoff format is found not to be good.

Sports writer Attila Gökçe’ s level of critism was a lot harsher. For him the plan means that the federation indirectly accepta the existence of match fixing.

Several clubs, including champions Fenerbahce, runner-ups Trabzonspor and Turkish cup winners Besiktas, are involved in the investigation which has seen 31 club officials (including Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim), players and coaches sent to prison pending trial.

OTHER EUROPEAN LEAGUES with a PLAY-OFF System

Europe’s Scottish, Greek and Belgian leagues have a “post-season.”

The Scottish Premier League is split into two after every club has played every other club three times. The scottish clubs play five matches against the teams in their half of the division.

In the Greek Super League, the second through fifth place teams in the Superleague enter a playoff to determine the second participant from Geece along with champions in the Champions League.

The top six in the Belgian Pro League enter the post season, with each team playing their opponents twice. Each team starts with half of the points they won in the regular season.

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