Turkish President Abdullah Gul has vetoed amendments that would have reduced prison sentences for match fixing and led to lighter terms for about 30 club officials and players arrested in a recent match fixing scandal.

Istanbul / NationalTurk – Turkish Parliament voted for the changes last week, only eight months after it approved sentences of up to 12 years for anyone convicted of rigging games. The changes led to criticism that they were designed to save the back of Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim, who is among those awaiting trial for alleged involvement in the biggest match fixing scandal Turkey has faced for forming organized crime gangs.

A statement from Gul’s office on Friday said the president vetoed the new reduced term of three years on grounds it was giving “the impression of a special treatment” to save the suspects. It was a rare veto of government-backed legislation of Justice and Development Party by the president Gül, a former AKP member.

Meanwhile, AKP Gaziantep Deputy Şamil Tayyar became the man of the hour in Turkey, as he wrote a letter to Turkish President Gül with a request of vetoing the new law. The AKP deputy sent his gratidues to President Gül on Turkish television.