The Turkish Basketball League has rightfully come down hard on the Galatasaray players, coaches, and staff that were involved in a deceptive player scandal.

Huge suspensions and fines were handed down after the recent scandal involving Turkish club Galatasaray Café Crown deliberately and deceptively played a suspended player.

After Incriminating photos exposed suspended player Cemal Nalga had played in two exhibition matches wearing another player’s jersey, fines and suspensions have been come down from the league.

(discuss the TBL scandal in our forum)

Cemal Nalga, the main culprit has been banned from the league for two years and fined 4,500€ (or 10,000 Türk Lirası). Tufan Ersöz, the player that lent his jersey in the illegal move, was suspended for four months and fined 2200€ (or 5,000 Türk Lirası).

In addition to being collectively fired by the club’s Board of Directors, Galatasaray’s coaching staff was also penalized by the Turkish Basketball Federation.

Head Coach Okan Çevik was suspended for three years (4500€/10,000 TL fine), assistant coaches Koray Mincinözlü (two years, 2200€/5,000 TL fine) and Cengiz Karadag (one year, 2200€/5,000 TL fine), as well as the General Manager Ali Tursan (six months + 2200€/5,000 TL fine), and Team Manager Mert Uyguç (two years + 4500€/10,000 TL fine).

Galatarsaray’s Vice-Chairman Yiğit Şardan resigned from the team and was suspended 6 months and fined 4500€/10,000 TL and released the following statement:

“Since I am the board member responsible for the men’s basketball team, I cannot deny my responsibility for the recent incident, although I had no idea about what happened.” the statement read.

The Federation has penalized the team by forfeiting each of Galatasaray’s league and cup game by default with a 20-0 loss. Galatasaray point total was also affected by the penalty, as they were deducted five points form their final league standing.

Discuss the Galatasaray scandal in our forum.