Kemal Ayci, 40, died after being shot in the head by a stray bullet fired into the air in the town of Giresun by an unidentified Galatasaray fan celebrating the title which was secured by a 0-0 draw with Fenerbahce, the Anatolian news agency reported.

In Istanbul, meanwhile, fights between fans and police caused 36 injuries and led to 59 arrests, 12 of whom were children.

Nine police vehicles, six ambulances, a fire engine and 85 buses were also damaged in the violence.

Gala got the draw it needed to pip Fener to the title by a point in a match in which both teams had a player sent off.

Issiar Dia saw red for Fener in the 65th minute while Tomas Ujfalusi's dismissal nine minutes from time evened up the numbers.

Fener's second place earned it a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round.

Crowd trouble marred the occasion as tensions escalated amid an enquiry into alleged match-fixing.

Flag-waving Galatasaray fans greeted their success with a noisy concert of klaxons as thousands descended on Istanbul's Taksim thoroughfare.

But riot police had to deploy water cannon and tear gas to separate rival groups of fans as they exited Sukru Saracoglu as emotions threatened to get out of hand, the Anatolia news agency reported.

During the afternoon, three Fenerbahce supporters were hurt in clashes.

In the UEFA Europa League Group, Bursaspor sealed top spot and qualification to Europe's second competition with a 4-0 win at Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK.

Pablo Batalla scored twice in the first half, while Sebastian Pinto and Turgay Bahadir were on target after the break, with Doka Madureira seeing red for the hosts.

Bursaspor's win meant Eskisehirspor's 3-1 success at Sivasspor was in vain.

Safet Nadarevic put Eskisehirspor in front midway through the first half and a Batuhan Karadeniz double early in the second ended Sivasspor's hopes, although it did get a consolation through Michael Eneramo.

The TFF's investigating body, the Professional Football Discipline Committee, revealed its findings at the end of a process that has seen dozens of players and officials jailed pending trial.

Last year's Super Lig champions Fenerbahce - who was kicked out of this season's Champions League as a result of the investigation - was among the teams cleared.

"There is no reason for punishment since the elements of the alleged disciplinary violation have not materialised," the TFF said in a statement.

Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim, one of those jailed during the investigation, also escaped punishment, although several other individuals were hit with suspensions.

Footballers Ibrahim Akin of Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi and Serdar Kulbilge of Genclerbirligi have been banned for three and two years respectively for allegedly attempting to fix matches, while eight other officials - four of whom were employed by Fenerbahce - have been barred from holding positions in football.

CAS said the case would be heard on 18 June.

Turkish champion Fener was thrown out of Europe's elite club competition as part of an investigation into match-fixing which has seen more than 30 players and officials jailed pending trial, including Fener chairman Aziz Yildirim.

The criminal trial is ongoing. Fener is demanding the money to cover lost revenue from taking part in the competition, and for the damage done to its market value.

"Today we sent our candidacy file to host the European football championships ... to UEFA headquarters," a statement posted on the federation's website from Yildirim Demiroren, president of the TFF, read.

In March, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged UEFA to award his country the right to host Euro 2020, citing improvements in infrastructure as well as Turkey's love of football and its sizeable young population.

Turkey lost the bid to host Euro 2016, which was awarded to France.

And UEFA member countries now have until 15 May to officially lodge their bid to host the 2020 edition.

So far almost a dozen countries said they would be interested in hosting the championships, but no other formal applications have been made.

A final decision on the host nation will be announced in late 2013, or early 2014.

Erdogan spoke to officials from Europe's 53 football nations in Istanbul, the home city of Fenerbahce, whose chairman is suspected of fixing games to help it win the Turkish title last year.

Fenerbahce was then barred from entering the Champions League.

Addressing UEFA's annual congress, Erdogan said clubs should not be punished for crimes committed by individuals.

"We have to identify a difference between the individual and the legal entity," Erdogan told UEFA's congress.

"We should act against individuals who committed the crime. Only they should be given the highest sanctions."

"If a legal entity is punished for the crime of an individual, millions of people would be punished."

Turkey has been plagued by a match-fixing scandal involving more than a dozen games last season.

The chairman of league champion Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim, is among 93 club officials, players and trainers currently on trial.

Fenerbahce believes the Turkish Football Federation was pressured by UEFA to deny its entry to Champions League, and is challenging both football bodies at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

However, the Turkish federation has not decided what other action to take against the clubs implicated.

Blatter said an early warning system was helping monitor suspicious betting while cooperation with Interpol was also helping curb match-fixing.

"Are we responsible for all the evils in our world? No, but we must see to it that we stay alert," Blatter said.

"We are working together against this scourge which is match-fixing."

UEFA is also pressing Turkey to take actions against the clubs.

"The fight against match-fixing is an absolute priority for UEFA," said Gianni Infantino, the organization's secretary general.

He later said UEFA would intervene if the Turkish federation does not take any action by the time teams have to register for European competitions.

Yildirim, named the number two defendant in the trial, is accused of match-fixing and establishing a crime ring, according to the indictment, which includes records of wiretapped conversations between the suspects who allegedly exchanged encoded messages.

Prosecutors accuse Yildirim of attempting to manipulate 13 league games, mostly in the second half of the season, to edge Fenerbahce past then leader Trabzonspor in the league standings. Yildirim denies any wrongdoing.

In January, the head of the Turkish Football Federation resigned following controversy over how to deal with the clubs implicated in the alleged match-fixing scheme.

Match-fixing scandals last year tarnished leagues in Turkey, Italy, Israel, Finland and Greece even though UEFA spent millions to monitor betting and investigate cases in which players and referees were allegedly bribed.

Fenerbahce was unbeaten through the second half of the season and beat Trabzonspor to the title on goal difference.

Officials with Trabzonspor, which replaced Fenerbahce in the Champions League, have also been implicated.

The meeting comes before UEFA's executive committee convenes for the second time this year in Istanbul on Tuesday. The association's annual congress starts on Thursday.

An unprecedented court case in Turkish football began in February, with 93 people, including the president of first division giant Fenerbahce, accused of rigging games.

The investigation, launched early last year, identified alleged corruption in first and second division matches in the 2010-2011 season, as well as other malpractice.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, 59, risks up to 72 years in prison if found guilty in the case, in which prosecutors are attempting to prove collusion between the world of football and the mafia.

Turkey's football federation banned Fenerbahce from taking part in this year's UEFA Champions League, while Besiktas was forced to hand back the Turkish Cup it won last year.

Erdogan, a keen footballer in his youth, is a fan of Fenerbahce.

The new president of the Turkish football federation, businessman Yildirim Demiroren, is close to the government and has promised to clean up the sport.

The Anatolie news agency said Demiroren and sports minister Suat Kilic also met Platini on Monday.

No statement was released afterwards, it said.

Fuster netted the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute but veteran goalkeeper Carroll, on his debut, also played a key part in the win by saving a penalty from Bebras Natcho with his first touch after coming on in the 73rd minute.

The 34-year-old Carroll, who only joined the club last month, was called into action after first-choice goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri had been shown a red card in conceding the spot-kick with a foul on Gokdeniz Karadeniz.

The 10 men of Olympiacos then held out for the final 17 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadion to record a victory which puts it in pole position to progress to the next phase.

Rubin, playing its first competitive match since last year due to the winter break in Russia, found itself on the back foot early on as Olympiacos enjoyed the better start, but Fuster and Ivan Marcano were unable to make the most of their openings for the visitor as the first half finished goalless.

The second period provided more incidents, beginning with a Nelson Haedo Valdez effort for Rubin in the 47th minute that forced a good save out of Megyeri.

Valdez then saw a long-range effort go harmlessly wide before Olympiacos took the lead midway through the half.

Rubin did not clear Giannis Maniatis' inswinging corner and Spaniard Fuster took advantage to strike a rising shot into the net, with Natcho unable to keep the effort out on the line.

That away goal was just what Olympiacos would have been hoping for, but things could have turned around dramatically 60 seconds later when Rubin won a penalty and the visitor was reduced to 10 men.

However, former Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Carroll climbed off the bench - with goalscorer Fuster the man to make way - to superbly keep out Natcho's spot-kick and keep his side ahead.

Rubin coach Kurban Berdyev sent on striker Obafemi Martins and midfielder Alan Kasaev in the closing stages in a bid to grab a late equaliser but it could find no way through as Olympiacos held on for the victory.

Sporting Braga's hopes of repeating last year's run to the Europa League final were hanging by a thread after goals from Tomas Sivok and Simao gave Besiktas a 2-0 victory in the first leg in Portugal.

Helder Barbosa's first half sending-off for two bookable offences hindered the home side, which must now pull off an extraordinary recovery in the second leg in Turkey in order to book its place in the last 16.

Braga went into the game on a high on the back of nine straight wins which had lifted it to third in the Liga, with Hugo Viana bending a superb free-kick just over the bar and Barbosa firing wide.

Besiktas by contrast was without a win in its last four Super Lig outings but in Portuguese coach Carlos Carvalhal, who supported and briefly coached Braga and still lives in the city, it had expert insight.

The dangerous Ricardo Quaresma came close to giving the visitor a 15th-minute lead when he curled a long-range shot narrowly over the bar, and two minutes later a weak shot in the box let Braga off.

The game changed in a five minute spell beginning in the 23rd minute when Barbosa was booked for fouling Kavlak, and dismissed in the 28th minute for a repeat offence on Ibrahim Toraman.

Besiktas grabbed the lead 10 minutes before half-time after a sustained period of pressure, Manuel Fernandes flinging in his second consecutive corner and Sivok rising to head past Braga keeper Joaquim Silva.

Braga struggled to respond, with Custudio hitting a long-range effort over the bar, Ruben Amorim also firing wide from long range and Paulo Cesar bringing a comfortable save out of Cenk Gonen from 25 yards.

Egeman Korkmaz headed just over early in the second half for Besiktas but the visitor extended the lead in the 58th minute when Fernandes fed Simao and the forward struck home from 12 yards.

Silva saved Braga from going further behind five minutes from time when he tipped a Kavlak shot round the post, while Hugo Almeida's injury-time effort was blocked in by Ewerton.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim and the other suspects have been charged in a scandal that allegedly involves 19 league matches last season.

League champion Fenerbahce was barred from the UEFA Champions League because of its involvement in the match-fixing scandal and it could be stripped of its domestic title and face relegation. Match-fixing scandals have tarnished leagues in Turkey, Italy, Israel, Finland and Greece last year despite UEFA spending millions of euros to monitor betting and investigate cases in which players and referees were allegedly bribed.

"The government might collapse, (chronic) inflation might go down but Fenerbahce can never be relegated!" Fenerbahce fans shouted outside the courthouse in Silivri, a town near Istanbul.

The head of the Turkish Football Federation and two of his deputies resigned last month after a controversy on how to deal with teams implicated in the match-fixing scandal, which has implicated officials or players from at least eight Turkish clubs.

Yildirim, who has denied any wrongdoing, is accused of match-fixing and establishing a crime ring according to the indictment, which includes records of wire tapped conversations between the suspects who allegedly exchanged encoded messages.

He faces a maximum of 72 years in prison if found guilty. Prosecutors accuse Yildirim of attempting to manipulate 13 league games, mostly in the second half of the season, to help Fenerbahce overtake then leader Trabzonspor in the league standings.

Fenerbahce went unbeaten through the second half of the season and beat Trabzonspor to the title on goal difference. Officials with Trabzonspor, which replaced Fenerbahce in the Champions League, have also been implicated along with officials and players from several other clubs.

The indictment accused some suspects of bribing a rival team's players to play badly, or not play at all, and coercing referees to make favourable decisions.

In one specific claim in the indictment, Yildirim is accused of ordering his aides to pay 100,000 euros ($122,743) to Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor player Ibrahim Akin ahead of a match in May.

"I'll jump off the bridge if they can prove it," Yildirim told reporters during a break in the trial, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Former Giresunspor president Olgun Peker, described as the main ringleader in a broad match-fixing scheme, is also charged. Peker faces a maximum 115 years in prison.

Fenerbahce risks having its name tarnished like Italian club Juventus, which was stripped of its 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles and sent down to play in a lower league until it worked its way back up into the top flight.

In December, Turkey's Parliament approved a sharp reduction in prison terms for match-fixing and hooliganism, a move that led to lighter sentences for any suspects found guilty in the match-fixing scandal.

Former Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria, who was detained and then released without charge in July, is among 14 players charged over alleged match-fixing attempts. Emenike left Turkey after his release and joined Spartak Moscow without playing a game for Fenerbahce.

Emenike, who was playing for Karabukspor at the time, was reportedly promised a transfer to Fenerbahce in return for not playing in a match against the team - an allegation Karabukspor has denied. The club said Emenike was injured a week before the game and has a doctor's certificate to prove it.

Emenike faces a maximum three years in prison if convicted.

The investigation, which kicked off nearly nine months ago, led to a wave of arrests in the northern summer after police became convinced that at least 19 first and second division matches were fixed during the 2010-2011 season.

Some 31 people were detained, of whom 23 are still behind bars. These include a dozen former or current club managers.

Fenerbahce, the Istanbul club which won the 2011 Turkish League championship, has seen no fewer than 13 members charged, from its 59-year-old boss Yildirim to Brazilian-born player Gogcek Vederson, along with trainers, therapists and even the team's Turkish-Portuguese interpreter.

Prosecutors are demanding jail terms of 147 years for Yildirim on corruption charges.

One of the games investigated was Fenerbahce's 4-3 victory over Sivasspor, which won it the championship title.

But managers from other clubs will also be in the dock, including those from Besiktas and Trabzonspor.

The probe has rocked Turkish football to the core.

The Turkish football federation has banned Fenerbahce from the 2011-2012 UEFA Champions League, and Besiktas has returned the Turkish Cup it won last year.

But the president of the federation, Mehmet Ali Aydinlar, and his two deputies resigned last month after the federation failed to agree on further sanctions for the clubs involved.

The inquiry and arrests have created shock waves among football supporters, many of whom said they would demonstrate on Tuesday outside the court.

In December, Turkish lawmakers adopted a law designed to water down drastic sentencing guidelines introduced earlier in the year to punish corruption in football.

The new law was meant to cut the maximum sentence for anyone found guilty of match-fixing from 12 to three years, but President Abdullah Gul vetoed the bill.

Kamara scored in the 10th and 21st minutes to put the host two goals clear, but Metin Depe pulled one back seven minutes later.

Bulent Ertrugul finally grabbed a third for Eskisehirspor to kill the game off in the 87th minute, just two minutes after coming off the bench.

At the bottom, Ankaragucu lost again - 1-0 at home to Manisaspor courtesy of Nemanja Vucicevic's strike on the hour - and there was an important win for Karabukspor.

Ilhan Parlak scored on 15 and 55 minutes, and Karabukspor held on for a 2-1 win over Samsunspor despite having Luton Shelton sent off on the stroke of half-time.

Murat Yildirim scored three minutes from time for Samsunspor, which then had Kemal Tokak dismissed.

"In a context where non-ethical behaviour from certain people and institutions is considered authorised and where trust does not exist, I don't have the means to resist any more," a statement from Aydinlar posted on the TFF website read.

Aydinlar refused to disclose the reasons for his resignation.

However, the move comes five days after a special meeting of the General Assembly of the TFF, during which no agreement could be reached as to what sanctions should be imposed on clubs involved in match-fixing.

His departure, along with the resignations of vice-presidents Goksel Gumusdag and Lutfi Aribogan, came a day after the federation insisted that the trio would stay in their posts at the behest of several club presidents.

The trial of 93 suspects accused of cheating in 19 first and second division matches last season is scheduled to begin on 14 February in Istanbul.

Among the 23 suspects detained is Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, whose team was excluded by the TFF from this year's UEFA Champions League because of the charges.

The indictment carries a penalty of between 54 and 147 years in prison for Yildirim for several acts of bribery, but a law passed last month reduced those penalties by nearly a half.

Directors from Trabzonspor and Besiktas, who are still involved in the UEFA Europa League, are also part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Federation said on Friday it will consider bidding for Euro 2020 depending on whether Istanbul makes the shortlist for the 2020 Olympics.

UEFA said "unfounded statements" appeared in Turkish media suggesting Platini assured Turkish football officials they would win with their fourth successive bid.

UEFA said the Euro 2020 bidding process hasn't started, nor a timetable agreed.

Ilker Ugur, head of the TFF's international events department, said by telephone that "it is the TFF's main goal to host the Euros."

Ugur, however, said the federation has not received any invitation from UEFA to bid for 2020, and preferred to wait and see Istanbul's fate for the 2020 Olympics.

Turks believe bidding for both events might increase the financial burden and reduce their chances.

Turkish officials were angered two years ago when UEFA's executive committee voted 7-6 for France to host Euro 2016.

Platini didn't vote, but Turkey believed he favoured his home country in what became a politicised election.

France President Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposes Turkey joining the European Union, made a key speech immediately before the vote in Geneva.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egemen Bagis, Turkey's EU minister, attended the funeral ceremony at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Kucukandonyadis died of pneumonia on Friday in Istanbul.

Midfielder Emre Belozoglu and other Fenerbahce players carried his coffin, draped in Turkish and Fenerbahce flags, to the pitch before the crowd observed a minute of silence in his memory.

Kucukandonyadis captained Turkey's national team, making 46 appearances for his country. His club career included Fenerbahce, where he scored 423 goals in 615 games.

Fenerbahce fans who had no doubt that Lefter could turn every opportunity into a goal, often shouted: 'give it (the ball) to Lefter, let him write it (the score) down in the book', Fenerbahce said on its website.

Born in 1925 in Istanbul to a fisherman father from Turkey's minority Greek community, Kucukandonyadis was the first player from Turkey to play abroad. He transferred to Italy's Fiorentina in 1951 followed by a spell with Nice in France.

After his retirement in 1966, Kucukandonyadis coached clubs in Greece, South Africa and Turkey.

Kucukandonyadis was buried in the island of Buyukada near Istanbul, where he was born.

"When I'm watching a Turkish match and a goal is scored, I'm suspicious if it is real or not," Bozdemir said, sitting in a tea garden in the low-income district of Ulus in Ankara.

An unemployed civil servant, Bozdemir was referring to the storm raging in Turkey over match-fixing.

This week an Istanbul court set the date for 93 players, coaches and football officials to stand trial for influencing games during the 2010 season.

The 400-page indictment, which the court released for publication, contained some breath-taking charges.

One of the two ringleaders, Aziz Yildirim, chairman of Fenerbahce, which won the 2010 championship, allegedly paid euros 345,000 to buy the player Gokdeniz Karadeniz.

But Karadeniz never played for Fenerbahce, which raises the question why the money was paid. The indictment says the fictitious transfer was arranged through the second ringleader, Olgun Peker, a former chairman of a second division club who is widely accused of mafia connections.

Hours after the court said the trial would begin on February 14, parliament passed the Bill on the Prevention of Violence and Irregularity in Sport, which reduces the maximum sentence for fixing a game from 12 years to three years.

Earlier this month, President Abdullah Gul, had vetoed the law, saying it seemed to have been drafted with a view to certain individuals involved in the corruption investigation.

But the two largest opposition parties spoke out in favour of the bill, and it was returned to parliament for the re-vote that took place over the weekend.

To anybody unfamiliar with Turkish football, these proceedings were confusing. Governments usually toughen the sentence for graft, not lighten them. Opposition parties usually accuse governments of being soft on corruption, rather than support the "softening" process.

To understand what is going on, one has to appreciate the "big impact" that the leading clubs has on Turkish society, said Bagis Erten, a leading columnist and host of TV sports programmes.

The top four clubs, Fenerbahce, Besiktas, Trabzonspor and Galatsaray, command legions of supporters. Three of the clubs are implicated in the trial.

And it is jokingly said that the only reason why Galatasaray officials are not among the 93 accused is that the team was playing so badly last year that corruption would not have made a difference.

As chairman of Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim wields enormous influence. If convicted on all counts, it is estimated he could go to jail for 156 years. After the bill was passed a second time, the mainstream newspaper Hurriyet ran the banner headline that Yildirim's sentence could fall by 81 years.

"If this scandal concerned small clubs and low-profile football people, I can assure you there would not be any change in the law," said Erten, who writes for the respected liberal paper, Radikal.

The opposition parties supported the bill because of the "danger of losing votes," Erten told dpa. "It's not easy for them to neglect Fenerbahce."

So the question becomes: why don't the voters recognise that corruption is bad for the game, that matches cannot be exciting when in fact the results are pre-determined?

The answer lies in the lack of awareness among the football fans at large and thus many fans are expecting President Gul to sign the bill into law.

Gul has hinted strongly he would do this, telling reporters that it was parliament's job to determine the punishment for corruption.

As parliament has passed the bill twice, Gul cannot veto it again.

He can only refer it to the Constitutional Court. But Gul said: "this is not a constitutional matter."

However, many Turks are uneasy about these developments. When parliament re-passed the bill on Saturday _ with 284 legislators in favour, six against and one abstaining _ the attendance was only 53 percent.

The political commentator Shahin Alpay told dpa many legislators had stayed away because "they were reluctant to vote in favour."

The Kurdish nationalist Peace and Democracy Party told its members to oppose the bill, but it is the smallest of the four parties in parliament.

Sports commentator Bagis Erten is waiting to see what UEFA decides to do: "UEFA's position will determine the future of Turkish football."

Erten said that 12 years' imprisonment for match-fixing is too heavy a sentence. "In Europe, the sentences are two to three years." UEFA will watch the trial to see if Turkey changed the law to make the sentences fairer or "to rescue" Yildirim and the other accused, Erten said.

In the tea garden, Ali Abbas Bozdemir said that if the president signs the bill, "the Europeans will never trust Turkish football again because corruption will increase."

Bribery has become such a phenomenon in Turkish football that a court on Friday accepted the indictment of no fewer than 93 players, coaches and officials.

The 400-page charge-sheet alleges the ringleaders were Aziz Yildirim, the chairman of the Istanbul club Fenerbahce, arguably the most popular team in Turkey, and Olgun Peker, a former chairman of the second division club Giresunspor, who is widely accused of mafia connections.

Parliament re-passed the Bill on the Prevention of Violence and Irregularity in Sport on Saturday, with 284 votes in favour, six votes against and one abstention.

Only the smallest of the four parties in the assembly, the Kurdish Nationalist Peace and Democracy Party, came out against the bill, which reduces the maximum sentence for influencing a game from 12 years to three years.

President Gul had vetoed the bill on 2 December, saying the attempt to reduce the punishment had given the impression the bill was tailored for 'individuals involved in an ongoing investigation rather than emerging out of necessity'.

Several commentators agreed with him, among them Turkey's best-known TV host, Mehmet Ali Birand, who wrote a newspaper column saying the amendment 'contradicts the public conscience'.

However, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, now convalescing from intestinal surgery, was reportedly impressed by the degree of cross-party support for the amendment and instructed his party to send it back to parliament for a re-vote.

Under the constitution, Gul cannot veto the bill again. He can either sign it into law or refer it to the Constitutional Court, which can block the legislation.

Emmanuel Eboue gave the home side a 34th-minute lead with Johan Elmander adding another four minutes before the interval.

Gala made certain of the points through Felipe Melo after 66 minutes, with Alex's last-minute reply for Fener coming too late.

The win takes Gala level on 28 points with Fenerbahce, but above its rivals on goal difference.

A last-gasp strike from Batuhan Karadeniz earnt Eskisehirspor a 1-0 win over Antalyaspor, who played most of the match with 10 men following Doga Kaya's 37th-minute dismissal.

The fixture between Karabukspor and Gaziantepspor finished goalless.

It is a dramatic U-turn by the government, coming eight months after it introduced prison sentences of a maximum of 12 years for people convicted of bribing players or paying fees to teams as incentives.

The parliament, with the support of lawmakers from the ruling party, has voted to reduce that term to three years.

Sports Minister Suat Kilic has rejected accusations from some opposition lawmakers that the change is designed to save Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim, who is among those awaiting trial in an investigation that allegedly involves 19 games last season.

Inter started the night with its progress already guaranteed after group rival Lille beat CSKA Moscow in an earlier kick-off, but the point in Turkey was enough to ensure it cannot be caught in top spot.

The result leaves Trabzonspor in second spot on six points, but it is just one point ahead of both Lille and CSKA.

Claudio Ranieri's Inter had every reason to approach the tie with caution having been shocked 1-0 by the Turkish side in the opening round of Group B fixtures earlier in the season.

Early efforts from Ondrej Celustka and Burak Yilmaz did nothing to ease Inter nerves and the home side pushed for an opener with Giray Kacar also coming close before Yilmaz dropped a volley into Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar's arms.

Inter grabbed the opener against the run of play in the 17th minute when Alvarez swept home a low shot from the right side of the penalty area after a neat ball from the left by Diego Milito.

The home side responded well with Yilmaz shooting just wide before it equalised just five minutes later when Halil Altintop blazed a 25-yard effort high into the roof of Julio Cesar's net.

The dangerous Yilmaz saw a shot blocked in the box by Walter Samuel then Alanzinho came close to giving the Turkish side the lead when his left-foot shot from 20 yards was tipped around by post by Julio Cesar.

The keeper also saved well from Yilmaz before Inter had a chance to regain the lead when Mauro Zarate's right-foot shot from the edge of the box was tipped round the post by Tolga Zengin.

Trabzonspor started the second half with Didier Zokora firing over the bar from long range, then Yilmaz saw another chance go begging as his 20-yard effort was punched out by Julio Cesar.

Zengin denied Dejan Stankovic with a diving save in the 55th minute while Milito missed the target with a header from six yards as Ranieri's men began to grow in confidence.

Yilmaz remained a constant threat but the home side's best and final chance of claiming three valuable points came in the 76th minute when Adrian Mierzejewski's header from the middle of the box rebounded off the post.

Police arrested Goksel Gumusdag after searching his office before taking him to hospital for a medical examination and police headquarters for investigation, the agency said.

Some 30 people were charged and jailed pending trial in July in a probe into alleged match-fixing and bribery in Turkey's first and second divisions last season.

Among them is the president of Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim, and two senior officials of first division Besiktas.

The TFF prevented Fenerbahce from entering the UEFA Champions League over the match-fixing probe, with league runner-up Trabzonspor instead taking its place.

The federation said it had reached a mutual agreement with the 65-year-old Dutch coach to end the contract that was due to expire next summer.

"We thank Guus Hiddink for services rendered during his term and wish him a healthy and happy life," the federation said.

Turkey managed to hold Croatia to a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the Euro 2012 playoffs on Tuesday, but Croatia claimed a place in the final tournament 3-0 on aggregate.

After the match, Hiddink indicated he was likely to stand down.

"I think this is my last match with this team, there is a high probability of that," Hiddink said.

Turkish media reported that Hiddink had bid farewell to the players in Zagreb and did not return to Istanbul with the team.

The Turkish federation did not say who was expected to replace Hiddink, who was appointed in 2010, but Belediyespor coach Abdullah Avci is considered to be a top contender for the post.

The Russian side ended the game with 10 men after Seydon Doumbia was sent off with a little over 15 minutes remaining, but the host could not make the extra man count as both sides came close in a frantic finish.

Trabzonspor was indebted to goalkeeper Tolga Zengin who made a number of excellent saves, but the result leaves both sides four points behind Inter.

The host looked to press from the outset, but CSKA initially came closest to opening the scoring.

Vagner Love had a shot blocked while Doumbia raced onto a pass and rounded Zengin only to see his shot cleared off the line by Giray Kacar.

Adrian Mierzejewski hit a long-range shot over for the host which was then grateful to Zengin who tipped Love's fierce shot over.

Zengin was called into action again shortly after but Zoran Tosic's shot from distance took a deflection and the goalkeeper gathered well under pressure.

Burak Yilmaz had been having a luckless evening for the Turkish side up front but on the half-hour he held off Vasili Berezutski's challenge, swivelled and fired in a shot which went just wide of the post.

However, the host was again indebted to Zengin when Doumbia raced through on goal, the keeper saving his shot across goal.

Paulo Henrique almost went through on goal for Trabzonspor before Aleksei Berezutski got across and cleared.

Alanzinho then charged forward for the host before he produced a shot Vladimir Gabulov held as he was finally called into action.

CSKA was reduced to 10 men when Doumbia was sent off for his second yellow card after a foul on Didier Zokora.

CSKA almost snatched a goal when Love fired a snap-shot at Zengin who saved well.

Moments later Yilmaz was found by Ondrej Celustka and he took it first time only for the ball to go straight into Gabulov's arms.

Berezutski then headed narrowly wide from Dzagoev's ball as both sides searched for victory before the latter fired in a 25-yard shot which was tipped over by Zengin.

Trabzonspor almost won it in injury-time when Arkadiusz Glowacki's effort came off the post and hit a CSKA defender before ricocheting wide.

Things began well for the host thanks to an 11th-minute strike from Selcuk Inan, but Muhammet Demir (33) and Ivelin Popov (37) gave Gaziantepspor a half-time lead.

Johan Elmander pulled Gala level after 64 minutes, only for Orhan Gule to restore their opponents' advantage four minutes later.

The 76th-minute dismissal of Sabri Sarioglu then ended Gala's challenge, with Cenk Tosun wrapping up the win two minutes from time.

Defeat leaves Galatasaray three points behind Fener, but they slip down to fourth behind Orduspor and Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK.

A last-minute goal from Yalcin Ayhan earned Orduspor a 1-1 draw at home to Bursaspor to move two points off the top.

The home side looked to be heading for its second defeat of the season after conceding a goal from Prince Tagoe a minute before the interval, but Ayhan rescued Orduspor in the dying seconds to move his team two points behind leaders Fenerbahce.

Istanbul Buyuksehir is a further point behind after a 2-2 draw against Eskisehirspor.

Samuel Holmen fired the home side in front after 39 minutes, but a Mehmet Yildiz penalty (53) levelled matters before things deteriorated further for Buyuksehir with a red card for Kamil Zayatte.

Veysel Sari then (89) looked to have snatched the win for Eskisehirspor, but Holmen scored again in the final minute to ensure a share of the points.

Trabzonspor sits fifth after two second-half strikes from Burak Yilmaz - the second from the penalty spot - sealed a 2-2 draw against Antalyaspor.

Deniz Baris (22) and Ali Zitouni (26) had given the visitors a two-goal lead before Yilmaz's heroics.

Didier Zokora was also sent off for the hosts.

The match between Samsunspor and Karabukspor finished goalless.

Francisco Lima Madureira, Pierre Webo and Cihan Haspolatli scored as Istanbul beat Samsunspor 3-0 while Galatasaray edged out Bursaspor 2-1.

Substitute Milan Baros grabbed a late winner for the home side after Serdar Aziz's 80th-minute effort had cancelled out Johan Elmander's opener.

All three teams have 13 points at the summit but Fener has a game in hand, which comes tomorrow against Mersin Idmanyurdu.

Genclerbirligi moved into the top half with a 3-0 defeat of Antalyaspor - an own goal from Omer Catkic and further goals from Aykut Demir and Oktay Delibalta sealing an emphatic win.

Isaac Promise scored twice as Manisaspor beat Karabukspor 2-1. Ali Kucik scored a late consolation for the visitor.

Moussa Sow had given the Ligue 1 champion a 31st-minute lead with his second goal in as many games - but Colman's 75th-minute spot-kick ensured parity.

The host, only in the tournament because compatriot Fenerbahce had been kicked out due to match-fixing allegations, came into the game on the back of a memorable 1-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro.

However, it struggled in the first half. Didier Zokora had its only chance before the break - and the midfielder's long-range effort was well off target.

Lille looked the more likely scorer before the interval - and after Eden Hazard had tried his luck in the 29th minute, it took the lead with its first shot on goal.

David Rozehnal's ball was not cut out by Marek Cech and Sow was able to net from a tight angle, through the legs of goalkeeper Tolga Zengin.

The striker was also on target in the 2-2 home draw against CSKA Moscow on matchday one.

It was nearly 2-0 four minutes later when Hazard squared for Sow - but the Senegalese international was just unable to make contact, to the relief of the home side.

The chance followed a breakaway which came about as a result of referee Bjorn Kuipers inadvertently getting in the way of a Trabzonspor attack.

The half finished on a sour note when Cech was carried off on a stretcher after a reckless challenge by Lille midfielder Joe Cole, who was booked.

Cech returned for the second half - and it was the home side which threatened first with Serkan Balci shooting high and wide twice in as many minutes.

Soon after Sow came close to a second goal for the visitor, outmuscling defender Giray Kacar but shooting just wide of the far post.

An open start to the second half continued when Colman saw a shot from the edge of the penalty area saved low down by Mickael Landreau.

At the other end, Cole should have done better than fire at Zengin when unmarked seven yards from goal in the 54th minute.

Adrian saw a left-foot shot deflected wide in the 71st for a corner which came to nothing, as the host sought an equaliser.

And it got it in the 75th minute, after Mathieu Debuchy handled Paulo Henrique's cross inside the penalty area.

Landreau got a hand to the resulting spot-kick - but could not keep it out and the Turkish side had its point.

The 2010 champion began its Group B campaign against a team only in the tournament because compatriot Fenerbahce had been kicked out due to match-fixing allegations.

It dominated much of the proceedings but was made to pay for a lack of dynamism up front as Ondrej Celustka was on hand to provide the visiting fans with a joyous celebration.

Inter boss Gian Piero Gasperini deployed Giampaolo Pazzini and Mauro Zarate up front with Diego Milito his only substitute striker.

He hoped he would not need him against an unfancied Turkish side but the only early chance of note saw Wesley Sneijder slam a free-kick against the wall.

Pazzini had two shots around the 20-minute mark, first seeing a 12-yard effort blocked by Arkadiusz Glowacki and then seeing the same defender get in the way two minutes later.

Defender Marek Cech had Trabzonspor's first half-chance when he blasted over the bar from long distance in the 28th minute.

By far the best chance at that point went to Zarate in the 32nd minute, when the former Lazio forward was well placed from close range but saw Tolga Zengin make the save.

The action was warming up as Zarate teed up Pazzini with a corner which the striker fired goalwards, though Zengin again produced the save required.

Zarate had another chance of his own in the 33rd minute but again Zengin was there to stop him, and 10 minutes from the break Sneijder's free-kick was caught by the goalkeeper.

Inter's Esteban Cambiasso fired one over the bar before the half was out.

Paulo Henrique had a rare attempt for the Turkish side early in the second half but saw his 30-yard attempt fly over before Gasperini sent on Milito and Ricardo Alvarez for Pazzini and Joel Obi.

Playmaker Sneijder volleyed wide from the edge of the box in the 56th minute before a brief lull was ended by Alanzinho's wayward shot at the other end.

Zarate, still Inter's liveliest attacker, should have done better with a shot shortly after the hour mark which Zengin saved.

Halil Altintop was booked for time-wasting and Milito twice went close before the home side was stunned.

The ominous signs had been there and Altintop hit the woodwork from 12 yards before Celustka beat goalkeeper Julio Cesar to the rebound and was able to slam home the goal.

Inter was floundering and Alvarez's poor off-target shot was a poor response as the stunned host got off to the worst possible start to its campaign.

Suat Kilic told a televised news conference that the match will be played in the 'highest level of (Turkish) hospitality', next Thursday evening (Friday morning AEST) and Israeli players will 'safely' return home.

The game comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations over Israel's refusal to apologise for the death of eight Turks and a Turkish-American in a raid on a Gaza-bound aid ship last year.

"There are problems on various issues between Turkey and Israel but it is not a situation that could prevent this match," Kilic said, rejecting calls from Israel for the game to be played at a neutral venue. "The Israel team will play its game against Besiktas in comfort and return home."

He said Besiktas fans were aware of the sensitivities. Turkish-Israeli relations hit a low last week after a U.N. report on the incident said Israel's naval blockade of Gaza was a 'legitimate security measure', but also called the raid on the flotilla that tried to break the blockade 'excessive and unreasonable'.

Turkey has since expelled top Israeli diplomats, cut military ties with the country, pledged to lobby other nations in support of the Palestinians' statehood bid and promised increased Turkish naval patrols in the Mediterranean.

In response to Turkey's moves, Israel has been conciliatory. Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said Wednesday evening in an address to a military ceremony that the worsening of ties 'was not our choice'.

"We respect the Turkish people and its traditions and wants to improve ties," Netanyahu said.

Israel has expressed regret for the loss of lives aboard the flotilla, but it has refused to apologise, saying its forces acted in self-defence.

Turkey took strict security measures during last year's European Volleyball League tournament and closed a game between Turkey and Israel to the public. A small group of protesters were stopped by police two blocks away from the venue as they voiced anger over Israel's 31 May raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla.

Before another volleyball match between Israel and Serbia during the tournament in July, protesters scuffled with police, pounding police shields with Palestinian flags.

Turkey had increased security for the Israeli team after an Israeli basketball team was pelted with bottles and forced to flee the court early last year amid Turkish accusations against Israel of using excessive force against Palestinians.

Fenerbahce said in a statement on Monday it was holding talks with two lawyers who would represent the club at CAS.

The announcement comes days after the Turkish federation rejected league champion Fenerbahce's request to be relegated from the Turkish top division because of the scandal.

More than 30 people, including Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, have been arrested in the ongoing match-fixing investigation that allegedly involves 19 games last season.

Selcuk Inan opened the scoring for the visiting Turkish side after 10 minutes, but goals either side of half-time from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos sent the Madrid fans home happy.

New signings Nuri Sahin, Hamit Altintop, Jose Maria Callejon, Raphael Varane and Fabio Coentrao were presented to the fans before the game.

UEFA confirmed the decision hours after the Turkish Football Federation announced it had barred Fenerbahce from playing in the Champions League.

"The UEFA emergency panel decided to replace Fenerbahce SK with Trabzonspor AS, runners-up in the 2010/11 Turkish league, in tomorrow's draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage," a UEFA statement said.

The decision means that Trabzonspor's scheduled UEFA Europa League qualifier against Athletic Bilbao has been cancelled, with the Spanish club progressing automatically.

There had been a suggestion that Arsenal could be given the additional place if it failed to win its tie against Udinese based on the UEFA co-efficient rankings, but this announcement ruled out that possibility.

According to a statement on the TFF website, UEFA wrote to the federation to demand Fenerbahce's withdrawal, threatening wider disciplinary action against the TFF should it fail to do so.

The letter was forwarded to Fenerbahce, which declined to withdraw.

"In the face of this development, on August 24 an extraordinary meeting of the board of directors was held to discuss the threat of the Turkish Football Federation being exposed to severe disciplinary sanctions if Fenerbahce took part in the UEFA Champions League this season, and it was decided to bar them from participating,'' the statement said.

Fenerbahce was crowned league champion last term, pipping Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title with a dramatic 4-3 win at Sivasspor on the final day.

The final standings remain official, but Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim is one of more than 30 people held in custody pending trial on the matter.

UEFA said it could not allow a club which had been involved in match-fixing to take part in continental competition.

"The panel considered that the Turkish Football Federation took the right decision to protect the game, fully in line with our zero-tolerance policy against match-fixing," UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said.

"The Turkish Football Federation has shown with this decision that it takes its full responsibility in the fight against corruption."

The police detained Murat Ozaydinli, a board member of the league champion Fenerbahce, along with another club official on Friday. The others arrested were a player of Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi and an official of Genclerbirligi.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a Fenerbahce supporter, has extended full support to the crackdown on football corruption. Hurriyet newspaper quoted Erdogan as saying "I regard this as a process of purification."

More than 30 people, including Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, have been charged in the probe that involves 19 games last season. Fenerbahce faces the threat of losing its title and relegation.

The new campaign will now get under way on 9 September - pushed back from 7 August - allowing further time for the authorities to investigate the corruption allegations that have rocked Turkish football.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim is just one of around 30 people arrested in recent weeks as part of an investigation into claims of match-fixing during last season.

The group included officials and players from a number of clubs and came after police raids across several cities.

Fenerbahce was crowned league champion last term, pipping Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title with a dramatic 4-3 win at Sivasspor on the final day.

The game at Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu stadium, marred by attacks on the press box and already interrupted once, was suspended in the 67th minute, with the score 0-0, after dozens of fans poured into the pitch, Anatolia news agency reported.

The first two spectators to invade the field wore T-shirts with the picture of Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, who was charged and jailed earlier this month as part of a probe into match-fixing, with Fenerbahce at the centre of the investigation.

As soon as the game began, fans had harassed photographers at the pitch and journalists in the press box, shouting abuse and pelting them with bottles, lighters and coins, forcing most of them to leave the stadium, Anatolia said.

Ukrainian reporters were also led out after club officials and Fenerbahce coach Aykut Yildirim made futile efforts to soothe the crowd.

A giant poster of Yildirim was then unfurled at the press box.

Fans vented anger particularly at journalists of the Haberturk daily, which had published pictures of Yildirim in police custody, the report said.

Some 30 people were charged and jailed pending trial this month as part of a massive investigation into match-fixing and bribery in Turkey's first and second divisions.

The suspects are accused of manipulating 19 games last season, which saw Fenerbahce clinch the title in the last match, outstripping Trabzonspor on goal difference.

The inquiry and arrests have sent shockwaves among fans in football-mad Turkey, amid the prospect of Fenerbahce losing the title.

Last week, Turkish Cup winner Besiktas, also implicated in the probe, returned the trophy to the football federation until cleared.

Besiktas vice-president Serdal Adali and coach Tayfur Havutcu are also behind bars awaiting trial.

Federation president Mehmet Aydinlar said on Tuesday the scheduled league start on 5 August will also be evaluated after the federation receives evidence of alleged match-fixing.

The Super Cup final had been set for 31 July. No new date has been set.

Prosecutors have charged about 30 people, including the president of league champion Fenerbahce and the deputy chairman and coach of Besiktas, in a probe involving 19 games that were allegedly fixed.

But Turkey's clubs are set to play in the Europa League and Champions League next season, as it stands, with UEFA stating there is nothing in its rules to prevent any side taking part given the current stage of the investigation.

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim was one of several people arrested earlier this month as part of an investigation into claims that matches were rigged during last season.

The group included officials and players from a number of clubs and followed police raids in several cities.

Thousands of Fenerbahce supporters took to the Istanbul streets on Sunday to voice support for Yildirim and other club directors involved in the investigation.

Fenerbahce pipped Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title last season but could face being stripped of that and thrown out of Europe in future if corruption charges and convictions follow the initial investigation.

UEFA is in communication with the TFF, European football's governing body confirmed in a statement, saying it is 'monitoring the situation on a daily basis'.

"There is no doubt that this is a complex case which is still evolving," UEFA's statement said, "but the matches under suspicion clearly fall within the sporting jurisdiction of the TFF and the legal jurisdiction of the Turkish judicial system.

"UEFA therefore cannot comment on any potential outcomes.

"With regard to the participation of Turkish clubs in UEFA club competitions, UEFA has full confidence in the TFF to submit to UEFA the names of the clubs to be entered based purely on sporting merit, and to take the necessary strong action in this case with the information at its disposal.

"Given the information received so far by UEFA there is nothing according to the UEFA statutes or regulations that leads UEFA to refuse entry to any of the clubs currently involved in the investigations in Turkey.

"UEFA wishes to underline that even after admission to a UEFA competition a decision to exclude a club from a competition, or from any future European competitions for a number of years, can be made at any time if it transpires that the club in question obtained qualification via manipulated or fixed matches."

The police detained Besiktas official Serdar Adali and coach Tayfur Havutcu along with two players of Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyesi on Tuesday.

Trabzonspor deputy president Nevzat Sakar also faces detention but has been hospitalised after developing heart problems.

Prosecutors have pressed charges against dozens of suspects, including the president of league champion Fenerbahce, over allegations of cheating and bribery involving 19 games.

The Turkish Football Federation has postponed action against Fenerbahce or runner-up Trabzonspor, allowing them to compete in the UEFA Champions League, until after the prosecution files its indictments.

The federation said it would wait until after prosecutors file any indictments before possibly taking action.

Earlier, Turkish police detained 22 people, including Trabzonspor president Sadri Sener, for questioning in the investigation. Sener was detained a day after a court charged and jailed Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim, pending a trial.

Fenerbahce narrowly beat Trabzonspor for the Turkish league title this year, allowing both teams to advance to European football's top club competition.

"Teams will compete in European competitions according to the current final league standings," federation president Mehmet Aydinlar said. "The results are registered to UEFA this way."

Trabzonspor is expected to take part in Friday's draw for the Champions League's third qualifying round. As league champion, Fenerbahce qualifies automatically for the group stage.

"Disciplinary investigation is going to be initiated after the court accepts the indictment of the prosecution," Aydinlar said.

Potential sanctions include stripping Fenerbahce of its title and relegating the team to the second division. Aydinlar also confirmed that the Turkish Super League will start on 5 August as scheduled previously.

UEFA rules require that Champions League entrants 'must not have been directly and/or indirectly involved, since 2007, in any activity aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of a match'.

"We are constantly in communication with the UEFA and the FIFA. The league will start on Aug. 5 and will be played as scheduled before," Aydinlar said. "Fenerbahce and Besiktas will play the Turkish Super Cup final on July 31."

The federation's decision came after a meeting with club presidents, who voiced solidarity with Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor.

"We are not accepting extra-judicial execution," said Ilhan Cavcav, president of Genclerbirligi.

Former federation president Mahmut Ozgener was also being questioned in the probe, the state-run Anatolia news agency said. Among the detained were ex-federation official Levent Kizil, former Ankaragucu official Mumtaz Karakaya and Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge.

Yildirim has been jailed along with 25 other suspects, including two other Fenerbahce executives who are accused of manipulating the outcome of games last season.

Turkey is the latest country to be affected by a slew of match-fixing and betting scandals around the globe, from South Korea to Zimbabwe.

In Turkey, investigators obtained evidence of cheating and bribery involving 19 first- and second-division games, the police said.

Fenerbahce won 16 of 17 league matches in the latter part of the season to come from a distant third place and beat Trabzonspor to a record 18th title on goal difference.

Fenerbahce risks losing its league title in the same manner as Italian club Juventus, which was stripped of its 2005 and 2006 Serie A championships because of a similar scandal.

Shares in Fenerbahce have dropped by more than 35 percent on the stock market since the news of the scandal surfaced a week ago, while Trabzonspor shares have climbed by 11 percent amid hopes it might be given the league title.

Shares in two other top Istanbul clubs, Besiktas and Galatasaray, have also dropped as the scandal struck the Turkish football business.

The government has promised to be tough on match-fixing, introducing legislation three months ago to confront hooliganism and cheating in football, which includes a maximum 12-year prison sentence for fixing games.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Fenerbahce fans, who clashed with police on Sunday, to behave and to respect court decisions.

Yildirim was one of a group of people arrested last weekend as part of an investigation into claims of match-fixing during last season.

The group included officials and players from a number of clubs and came after police raids across several cities.

Thousands of Fenerbahce supporters took to the streets to voice their support for Yildirim and other club directors at the centre of the investigation.

The Istanbul club on Saturday issued a statement saying: "We do not believe the accusations that have been made against the president and directors."

Fenerbahce was crowned league champion last term, pipping Trabzonspor to the Super Lig title with a dramatic 4-3 win at Sivasspor on the final day.

"I was sitting on the sofa at my parents' house in Dinslaken (in the Ruhr region of western Germany) when I received a phone call from someone telling me that I was supposed to be in prison," the German-born player said.

"Clearly, that is not the case. I have been in Germany for several weeks. I spend all my holidays here and I am currently training in Duisburg as I recover from a foot operation."

Calik insists he has nothing to do with the affair, which has seen the president of national champion Fenerbahce, Aziz Yildirim, arrested with around 40 others as police investigate claims that matches in the 2010-2011 Turkish league season were fixed.

The player added that nobody has contacted him to say that he has anything to do with the ongoing investigation.

Amongst those who have been arrested are the Fenerbahce players Emmanuel Emenike and Sezer Ozturk, and the Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge, who is a Turkish international.

The state-run Anatolia news agency says the eight are linked to Giresunspor.

The club confirmed that its president and some other officials were being questioned but gave no further details.

Police has declined to comment on the detentions.

Police launched simultaneous raids in homes and club offices in more than 12 Turkish cities on Sunday, detaining Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim and board member Sekip Mosturoglu among other officials and players for questioning about alleged fixing in the top-flight league last season.

Aksam newspaper reported on Monday police searched the premises of Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor, Besiktas and Sivasspor, and that 19 league games are being investigated.

Turkey has vowed to be tough on match-fixing, introducing legislation three months ago to battle hooliganism and cheating in football that included a maximum 12-year prison sentence for fixing games.

Dogan news agency reported on Sunday police are looking at Fenerbahce's 4-3 win over Sivasspor in the last round that helped the Istanbul club clinch the title.

Fenerbahce's match against Eskisehirspor is also being probed.

Fenerbahce said in a statement on its website on Monday it is confident the club will 'pull through' from the investigation.

Turkey's Star newspaper said the allegations include claims that Karabukspor's Nigerian forward, Emmanuel Emenike, and Eskisehirspor midfielder Sezer Ozturk were promised transfers in return for not playing, or playing badly, against Fenerbahce.

Karabukspor denies the allegations, saying Emenike was injured a week before the Fenerbahce game and has a doctor's certificate to prove it.

Emenike has since transferred to Fenerbahce from Karabukspor in a deal worth about US$9 million ($8.41 million).

The Nigerian football federation issued a statement on Monday saying it has written to its Turkish counterpart asking for details about Emenike's arrest.

"While we do not intend to, in any way, prejudice police investigations into this matter as we regard match-fixing and other cheating methods in football with disdain, we however request for the full details of the issues leading to the arrest and detention of our international player, Emmanuel Emenike," the statement read.

Fenerbahce risks having its name tarnished like Italian club Juventus, which was stripped of its 2005 and 2006 Serie A titles in the 'Calciopoli' scandal, which revealed how favourable referees were appointed to key matches.

Turkey is the latest country affected by a slew of match-fixing and betting scandals in world football, involving international and club teams.

The current global wave of fixing scandals has been linked to organised criminal gangs exploiting the increased opportunities offered by online gambling to cash in on corruption.

Criminal trials in Germany and Finland this year have revealed bribes paid to players and referees to fix matches in about a dozen European leagues - mostly in lower divisions - for betting coups by the gangs.

South Korea and Italy have also launched criminal investigations in recent weeks to examine fixed domestic league matches.

FIFA is investigating a global network of fixers with links to Malaysia and Singapore, which is suspected of manipulating national teams' friendly matches in Asia, Africa, Europe and South and Central America.

Most international matches under suspicion involve fixers bribing referees to influence the number of goals scored, often by awarding multiple penalty kicks.

Aziz Yildirim was taken into custody early on Sunday along with the club's vice-president Sekip Mosturoglu and financial chief Tamar Yelkovan, the Anatolia news agency reported.

Two Fenerbahce players - Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike and forward Sezer ztrk - were also detained.

Other top flight clubs were involved in the corruption swoop, including Trabzonspor in the northeast, but the club's vice-president, Nevzat Sakar, denied he had been arrested as reported earlier by Anatolia.

Several footballers were also among those arrested in Ankara, including Genlerbirligi striker Serkan Calik and Ankaragc goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge, both Turkish internationals.

The agency also said a police search was under way at the headquarters of Fenerbahe, the reigning champion of Turkey, which also reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2008.

Arrests linked to the investigation also took place in the central town of Sivas where the president of Sivasspor, Mecnun Odyakmaz was taken in for questioning and at Izmir in the west, where the cousin of Fenerbahe midfielder Emre Belzoglu was being held, Mersin and Giresun.

Fenerbahce board chairman Yuksel Gunay slammed the detention of Yildirim, a building construction businessman who has been president of the club since 1998.

"It is quite clearly just the manifestation of a police state," he said. "Just which matches are they considering investigating?"

Fenerbahce said in a statement: "Never in the history of our club, which is full of honours won, have we been implicated in any illegal acts and we never will be."

Fenerbahce clinched the league title on the final day last season by defeating Sivasspor 4-3 in Trabzonspor.

The match-fixing investigation led to many arrests last year but this was the first time such high-level officials have been taken into custody.

Aziz Yildirim was taken into custody early on Sunday along with the club's vice-president Sekip Mosturoglu, the vice-president of Trabzonspor, Nevzat Sakar, and the technical director of Eskisehirspor, Umit Karan, the agency said.

Several footballers were also among those arrested in Ankara including Genclerbirligi striker Serkan Calik and Ankaragucu goalkeeper Serdar Kulbilge, both Turkish international players.

The agency also said that a police search was underway at the headquarters of Fenerbahce, the reigning champion of Turkey, which also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2008.

Arrests linked to the investigation also took place in the central town of Sivas where the president of Sivasspor, Mecnun Odyakmaz was taken in for questioning and at Izmir in the west where the cousin of Fenerbahce midfielder Emre Belzoglu was being held.

The match-fixing investigation led to many arrests last year but this was the first time such high-level officials have been taken into custody.

The role is likely to be vacated by Leonardo shortly, with the former AC Milan boss poised to become Paris St Germain's new sporting director.

Inter has already made moves to find a successor for Leonardo but has met several obstacles with Porto's Andre Villas-Boas' release clause too steep while Sinisa Mihajlovic has reiterated his commitment to Fiorentina.

Former Argentina boss Marcelo Bielsa has also ruled himself out of the running.

But Cees van Nieuwenhuizen has said his client, currently in charge of the Turkish national side, "would evaluate" Inter's offer should the Nerazzurri reach an agreement with Hiddink's current employers.

"We have never spoken to (Inter president Massimo) Moratti," Van Nieuwenhuizen told the Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.

"Hiddink has a contract with the Turkish federation and therefore before any talks can begin, Moratti must contact the (Turkish) federation and say he is interested in Guus.

"He is contracted until 2012 so, for the time being, there is no possibility that he can coach Inter.

"If Inter reached an agreement with Turkey? Well at that point Hiddink would certainly evaluate the Nerazzurri offer but he is a professional and he has never broken a contract in his whole career."

Hiddink has also been linked with a move back to Chelsea, possibly in a sporting director role with the west London club reportedly targeting Villas-Boas to be its next coach.

But Cees van Nieuwenhuizen admitted he was unable to say for certain whether Hiddink would snub the Blues if they reached an agreement with the Turkish Football Federation to release him from his contract.

TFF president Mahmut Ozgener has announced he will not stand for another term in office, a decision which fuelled speculation over Hiddink's position.

Ozgener has been a staunch ally of the 64-year-old but the former's impending departure will diminish any say he has if Chelsea decides to test the TFF's resolve to keep Hiddink.

Hiddink is renowned for not breaking contracts but Van Nieuwenhuizen was uncertain whether his client would consider being bought out of the final year of it as the same as a breach.

"I really have no idea," Van Nieuwenhuizen told Press Association Sport, insisting Ozgener's announcement had 'not had any effect' on Hiddink's own position.

He added: "The contract is with the Turkish Football Federation and not the individual president."

Asked if Hiddink was concerned or upset about Ozgener's departure, Van Nieuwenhuizen said: "Guus is somebody who can accept the facts of life."

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay earlier refused to comment on reports Hiddink is the club's number one target as he visited Hong Kong ahead of the pre-season tour of Asia.

He did reveal, however, that he hoped to make an appointment within the next fortnight.

Van Nieuwenhuizen maintained there had been no formal contact between Hiddink - who is also currently in Asia - and the Blues over the vacancy.

Mahmut Ozgener will hold a press conference after returning from a week's holiday and what he says will likely have an impact on the Blues' hopes of securing Hiddink's services in the near future.

Ozgener reportedly lacks enough support to secure another term in office and he could therefore elect to jump before he is pushed.

He has been a staunch ally of national team boss Hiddink, whose refusal to fully commit his future to Turkey has caused concern at the TFF.

Even Ozgener himself suggested last week he had been misled by the Dutchman, threatening to report Chelsea to FIFA if it persuaded Hiddink to break his contract.

Feelings are likely to run deeper than that among Ozgener's opponents and any new president may decide to cut his losses on Hiddink, whose reported £4 million-a-year contract expires next northern summer.

There are claims he is paid even more than this and that the TFF is holding out for the maximum possible compensation from Chelsea.

The Blues were previously reported to FIFA over the signing of Gael Kakuta from Lens, which resulted in it receiving a transfer ban that was overturned on appeal.

Ozgener, who sought assurances from Hiddink after Turkey's 1-1 European championship qualifying draw in Belgium 10 days ago, said last week: "Chelsea have a record of signing players while under contract.

"If the same thing happens with Hiddink, we will make a file of the payments we made to Hiddink and we will go to FIFA.

"After the game with Belgium, I went into the dressing room and asked Hiddink what he would do.

"He replied that he would go to watch the Turkey B team and then fly to South Korea for a charity match. Afterwards, I learned he had told the players different things.

"You cannot come to Turkey and just leave when you want."

Hiddink's agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, has always maintained his client will not break a contract and Hiddink himself insisted in his column in Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Saturday that he was focusing on Turkey's four remaining qualifiers for the Euro 2012.

The 64-year-old, who won the FA Cup with Chelsea as interim manager in 2009 and has been an unpaid advisor to owner Roman Abramovich ever since, said he had not been in direct contact with the club 'in the last couple of weeks'.

The veteran Dutch boss, who had a successful five-month stint in charge of the London side during the 2008-09 season, is currently in charge of the Turkish national side and is preparing for its Euro 2012 qualifier with Belgium this weekend, but has said he misses day-to-day involvement with players.

He has a year left on his deal with Turkey but said in The Sun today: "I never told anybody that I was going to continue working with Turkey.

"I feel energetic and I like working every day and I feel I need to do more, so a club role is more preferable than coaching a national team.

"I haven't told the president of the Turkish FA. But he is an intelligent man and I'm sure he follows the world's football media. There is no official offer yet so I cannot guarantee anything yet."

Hiddink is a close friend of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and has acted as an advisor to the Russian since leaving London in May 2009.

He guided Chelsea to an FA Cup final win over Everton during his time in charge, having been called to rescue the club's season following the sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Fener's first three goals remarkably all came from the spot as Alex converted all of them with the first two in the 26th and 30th minutes, the visitor having goalkeeper Stefan Senecky sent off after giving away the second penalty, and the third just after the break.

Bekir Irtegun added a fourth before Alex completed his haul with a free-kick on 83 minutes and a delightful chip in stoppage time.

Trabzonspor is only behind the leader on goal difference after a 3-1 home win over Istanbul Buyuksehir.

Early goals from Pawel Brozek and Burak Yilmaz put the host in control with Coelho Jaja making it 3-0 before Samuel Holmen scored a consolation for the visitor.

The only low point for Trabzonspor was the dismissal of Mustafa Yumlu in the final minute.

Bursaspor secured a 3-0 success at Kasimpasa.

Ibrahim Ozturk grabbed the opener and second-half efforts from Turgay Bahadir and Bekir Has completed the scoring.

The day's other game saw Gaziantepspor win 2-1 at Kayserispor.

Olcan Adin opened the scoring for the away side before Onder Turaci levelled, but Murat Ceylan grabbed the winner with six minutes to go.

Bogdan Stancu put Gala in front in the 35th minute only for Nikolay Dimitrov to level on the stroke of half-time.

But a Milan Baros penalty on the hour and a Servet Cetin effort in the 81st minute settled the contest, and Kasimpasa's miserable night was complete when Luiz Henrique was sent off in stoppage time.

Omer Sismanoglu scored both goals for the visitor, either side of Serdar Ozbayraktar's 42nd-minute strike, to move the club two points behind fourth-placed Gaziantepspor.

Defeat ended Eskisehirspor's European ambition as it is now eight points adrift with two games left.

The legislation, passed late on Thursday, introduces up to six years in prison for fans who dismantle seats, two years in prison for fans who chant racial slurs and obscenities in or around stadiums and one-year prison terms for spectators who attempt to bring guns, sharp objects or flares to sports events.

The legislation was pushed by the Turkish Football Federation, which has vowed to adopt zero tolerance toward hooliganism. The Turkish football league is frequently marred by crowd trouble, with fans lighting up flares, throwing objects and yelling obscenities to taunt opposition teams and referees.

In the latest example of unruly crowd behaviour, spectators threw a lighter at Austria goalkeeper Jurgen Macho during a 2012 European championship qualifier in Istanbul in midweek. He was not injured.

A large glass bottle was also thrown on the field during a derby between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray in Istanbul on 18 March.

With the new legislation, fans can only purchase electronic tickets using government ID numbers, making it easier to track and punish troublemakers.

Fans deemed to be drunk or under the influence of drugs will be refused entry to events, while anyone involved in hooliganism will be barred from competitions for a year.

In a bid to tackle match-fixing, individuals caught bribing players or paying fees to teams as incentives face a maximum 12 years in prison.

Turkey is at the centre of a European match-fixing scandal, currently under investigation by police in Germany, in which 270 matches in at least nine domestic leagues and international competitions are under suspicion.

In 2000, two fans of English club Leeds United were stabbed to death in Istanbul, ruining Turkey's reputation internationally.

This is because it believes refereeing decisions may have influenced the results of matches played in the country last week.

Latvia defeated Bolivia 2-1 and Estonia drew 2-2 with Bulgaria in Antalya, Turkey on 9 February, with all seven goals scored from penalties.

The Bolivian federation says it has sent a message to FIFA president Sepp Blatter asking for 'an exhaustive investigation'.

FIFA says it has asked for match reports from each of the national federations.

Bolivia was scheduled to play against Finland and Bulgaria in Turkey in March. The federation says it hopes to a play a match on 25 March against Panama.

Fenerbahce says one player had his nose broken and several others were beaten by Galatasaray fans Sunday.

A picture posted on the club's website shows a man kicking a Fenerbahce player.

HaberTurk aired video on Monday showing another man, wearing a Galatasaray jersey, kicking a member of the team in the chest.

The Vatan newspaper says 13 Fenerbahce players were hospitalised after the incident which began when some Galatasaray fans intervened during a verbal argument between two rival players as they left the pitch at halftime.

Galatasaray has apologised on its website after the match was suspended. The score was 1-1.

The Ibrox striker broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when he lashed a left-footed shot from 12 yards past Yavuz Ozkan after good work from Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker down the left-hand side.

However, the Scottish champion was forced to defend for most of the second half and in the 79th minute Sercan Yildirim stabbed the ball past Allan McGregor to give the Turkish club its first Champions League point although it finished bottom of Group C.

Rangers went into the match with no chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the competition but with a place in the UEFA Europa League already secured.

However, the Scottish champion was looking for the win which would improve Scotland's UEFA coefficient, net it around £750,000 ($1.2 million) in prize money and also help its chances of being seeded in UEFA's second-tier club competition.

Walter Smith, however, sprung a surprise by handing 18-year-old Darren Cole his debut as right-back in a five-man defence.

Madjid Bougherra was back in the centre of defence beside David Weir, with Miller again playing the lone striker's role.

The Turkish club, appearing in the Champions League for the first time, showed seven changes from the side which started in the 1-0 defeat in Glasgow.

However, Bursaspor, playing in green and white hoops similar to that of Rangers' Old Firm rival Celtic, started the game that little bit sharper than the visitor.

It might have taken the lead in the 16th minute when striker Leonel Nunez side-stepped Bougherra in the box to make himself a yard of space, only to fire over the bar.

But three minutes later it was the Scottish champion which grabbed the lead with Miller's first Champions League goal of the season.

Naismith sent Whittaker down the left and when his low cross came into the box, the Scotland striker sent a stunning strike from the penalty spot high past the Green Crocodiles' second-choice goalkeeper Yavuz Ozkan from 14 yards.

The Rangers support almost had more to cheer about minutes later when Cole curled a cross to the back post where Naismith was unmarked, but the former Kilmarnock player looped a header just over the bar.

Bursaspor's early enthusiasm looked to have dampened and there was some trouble within a section of the home crowd before several spectators broke through the security cordon and across no-man's land to goad the Gers fans penned in at a corner.

An uneasy peace was restored but the Govan side looked comfortable and compact as it defended its lead.

Bursaspor brought on Omer Erdogan and Pablo Batalla for Serdar Aziz and Huseyin Cimsir respectively at the start of the second half but within two minutes Miller sent a header past the post from another Whittaker cross.

The Ibrox club, accustomed to playing defensively in Europe, retained its discipline and shape but it was struggling to get out of its own half at times.

In the 58th minute, after another corner had been cleared outside the box, Bursaspor skipper Bekir Ozan Has volleyed high over the bar and another opportunity for the Turkish side was missed.

The Light Blues were sporadically pushing for the second goal but the Bursaspor keeper was mainly an interested spectator.

James Beattie replaced the tiring Miller just past the hour, with Turgay Bahadir coming on for Nunez - a substitution booed by the home support.

Vladimir Weiss replaced Naismith in the 70th minute, before Federico Insua curled a 20-yard free-kick wide of McGregor's right-hand post.

However, in the 79th minute Bursaspor got a deserved equaliser when Ozan Ipek's cross from the left found Yildirim 12 yards from goal and with the Ibrox defence caught flat-footed, he knocked the ball past McGregor.

Moments later Yildirim worked a one-two with Insua and found himself through on goal against McGregor - but missed his kick, allowing the Rangers keeper to gather.

It was a remarkable let-off for the visitor, which had to defend with some desperation until the final whistle.

It was reported that three Bursaspor supporters were in hospital with knife injuries after trouble broke out at the match against Besiktas in Istanbul on Sunday night (local time).

Around 1,200 Green Crocodiles fans travelled to the Turkish capital for the match, which ended 1-0 for the home side, and television footage showed police using batons and tear gas to break up clashes outside the Inonu stadium.

Almost 1000 Light Blues' fans will travel to Bursa for the final Group C game and, despite some frantic attempts by Bursaspor officials to prevent Saglam addressing the issue of their safety, he said: "There is no doubt that when Bursa hosts any teams, especially in the Champions League, it is with Turkish hospitality.

"Even when we hosted famous and important clubs before Glasgow Rangers, we had no security problems and even when we lost the games, there wasn't even a tiny problem.

"So for Glasgow Rangers, there will be no problem at all, the supporters and the press are welcome."

Bursaspor, in its first appearance in the UEFA Champions League, is still looking for its first point after five games.

Rangers, on five points and in third place, has already qualified for the UEFA Europa League while Manchester United and Valencia are through to the last-16 of the competition with only the top spot to be decided when they meet at Old Trafford.

Saglam is not surprised by the way the section has unfolded.

"We would like to be qualified for the last-16 but there is a logical explanation for our situation," he said.

"First, we are in the Champions League for the first time and if you compare the budgets of the teams like Manchester United and Valencia to ours, there is huge difference.

"You can't qualify by just buying a couple of good players.

"When the groups were drawn we expected Manchester United to be in first place and Valencia in second.

"We knew that we were to challenge with Rangers for the third position.

"We unfortunately could not beat Rangers in the away game and now the group is pretty clear, everyone knows our position but we want to finish with a win.

"If we qualify for next year, we could do much better."

Saglam will change his keeper for the visit of the Ibrox men with second-choice Yavuz Ozkan making his first appearance in the tournament.

Los Che, which beat the Turkish side 4-0 away from home in its first meeting, had the match all but wrapped up by half-time after blitzing its opponent with four goals in a stunning 20-minute spell in the opening period.

Attacking quartet Juan Manuel Mata, Roberto Soldado, Aritz Aduriz and Joaquin Sanchez were all on the scoresheet prior to the interval, while Soldado and Alejandro Dominguez added further goals in the second half for Unai Emery's side, which might have won by an even bigger margin.

The victory means the Primera Division outfit is now assured of a top-two finish in Group C and will play Manchester United for first place at Old Trafford in the final round of fixtures. United stayed three points clear of Los Che after beating Rangers.

For Bursaspor, which netted a consolation goal through Pablo Batalla when 5-0 behind, a fifth successive loss means it is now certain to finish bottom of the standings.

Valencia was quickly out of the blocks and might have been two goals ahead in the opening four minutes with Aduriz and Joaquin both having decent chances.

Bursaspor then gave Valencia a couple of major scares of their own - not least when Sercan Yildirim was put clean through in the 12th minute.

The Turkey international could not take advantage, though, as his lob over home goalkeeper Miguel Moya landed just wide of the far post, and after that it was pretty much all Valencia.

Mata opened the scoring in the 16th minute from the penalty spot after Omer Erdogan was adjudged to have brought down Aduriz inside the area even though the Bursaspor captain, who got both ball and man, looked from impressed by the decision.

Five minutes after that it was 2-0 as Aduriz and Mata combined to set up Soldado, who lashed the ball in from close range, before Aduriz made it 3-0 in the 30th minute.

Jordi Alba and Mata combined well down the left before the former's low cross picked out Aduriz, who slotted home at the second attempt after Ivankov had blocked his first effort.

Soldado was then denied when one-on-one with Ivankov as Valencia continued to dominate before Emery's side did make it 4-0 in the 37th minute through captain Joaquin, who turned inside Erdogan on the edge of the box before curling a shot into the far top corner.

The misery did not end there for Bursaspor, however, and Valencia picked up where it left off after half-time.

It took the home side only 10 minutes to increase the lead as Soldado took his tally to five goals in the five group games.

The twice-capped Spain international latched onto a throughball, rounded Ivankov on the edge of the box and then smashed a thunderous rising shot past the covering Erdogan on the line.

A brilliant one-handed save from Ivankov prevented Valencia substitute Dominguez from heading in the Spanish side's sixth goal in the 62nd minute.

To its credit, Bursaspor continued to fight despite the match being beyond it, and Volkan Sen and Turgay Bahadir both tested young Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita - who had replaced the injured Moya in the first half - before it pulled a goal back in the 69th minute.

Yildirim fired over a low cross to the far post where substitute Batalla slotted in from close range as the Valencia defence appealed in vain for offside.

That was not the end of the scoring though, as Valencia made it 6-1 12 minutes from time, Dominguez firing in after Mata had passed on a long punt forward by Guaita, completing a comprehensive victory for the host.

The pair both picked up injuries during the 3-0 UEFA Champions League win over Bursaspor in Turkey.

And whilst it is hoped the damage is not too serious, it is enough to keep two of Ferguson's most important players out of a key domestic encounter.

"Unfortunately, Nani has a groin injury and is out for Saturday," confirmed Ferguson.

"I think Darren will be out as well, so that part has been disappointing.

"It is disappointing but these things happen in football. We may have Darron Gibson back after a bout of flu but Anderson has had a virus as well and I don't think he will be ready."

Should Ferguson only be without two of his main men this weekend, he will not regard it as too much of a price to pay.

However, with Manchester City to face at Eastlands next week, absences for any greater length of time would cause the Red Devils a huge problem.

Not that Ferguson has much to complain about given Nani's fellow wingers, Gabriel Obertan and Bebe both found the net after Fletcher had broken the deadlock with a well-struck shot early in the second-half of his 50th Champions League appearance.

"Gabriel has been derailed quite a bit by injury," said Ferguson, of Obertan, who was scoring his first goal for the club.

"It has been a problem for the lad. He had two or three last season and then picked up another in Texas this pre-season that kept him out for five or six weeks.

"But he is back now and as he showed tonight, he has fantastic talent."

As for Bebe, signed from Vitoria Guimaraes in the northern summer even though he had never played a competitive game for the club and Ferguson had not seen him in action, the Scot is convinced there is untapped potential to be fulfilled.

"He is a good, young player who still has a lot to learn," he said.

"He still needs a lot of coaching but the raw talent is there. He is brave and quick, and for such a young player he is a good decision maker.

"The chances of him being able to realise his potential are very good."

United now requires just a point from its trip to Rangers in three weeks to cement a place in the knockout phase.

For Bursaspor, it was another harsh lesson about European life.

The Turkish champion is still without a point after four games, leaving coach Ertugrul Saglam to reflect on the injustice of it all.

"The game could have been totally different if they hadn't scored so early in the second half," he said.

Second-half goals from Darren Fletcher, Gabriel Obertan and Bebe ensured United only requires a draw against Rangers at Ibrox on 24 November to claim its customary place in the knockout phase with a game to spare.

And, as Nani is already rated doubtful to face Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend after limping off with a groin injury midway through the opening period, Sir Alex Ferguson must have been delighted that two of his back-up wide-men followed up Fletcher's opener - only his second Champions League goal in his 50th appearance in the competition - to seal a comfortable win.

Already without 10 players on this trip, including the rested Rio Ferdinand, who was engaged in an entertaining Twitter spat with Robbie Savage, United could ill afford to lose anyone else.

In Antonio Valencia's long-term absence, Nani has stepped into the breach superbly this term, shouldering so much responsibility attacking from wide positions, drawing high praise from Arsene Wenger the previous day.

As the Portugal wideman made his way to the bench after the briefest of delays for treatment, not even waiting for Park Ji-sung to get ready to replace him, Ferguson could only hope the winger's problem is a minor one given a number of key Premier League encounters await, not least next week's Manchester derby at Eastlands.

Not that Nani had actually been too threatening on this occasion.

It was Obertan, making only his second start of the season, who took that role, providing the well executed pass which provided lone frontman Dimitar Berbatov with his clearest sight of goal.

Unfortunately for United, the Bulgarian's well-struck effort flew straight at his fellow countryman Dimitar Ivankov.

Paul Scholes did not even manage that as he touched the ball with his standing leg after Berbatov had played him in, meaning his eventual shot was of the fresh-air variety, drawing a rueful smile from Ferguson.

Scholes did finish neatly before half-time but German official Wolfgang Stark had spotted his handball in the build-up, while Fletcher's volley was well struck but so far wide the man who provided the cross, Patrice Evra, ended up trying to nod it back into the area.

Bursaspor was marginally more dangerous, with Volkan Sen much improved on his woeful efforts at Old Trafford a fortnight ago when the Turkish champion slipped to defeat without much of a fight.

It was Turgay Bahadir who spurned the host's best chance though when Sercan Yildirim provided an intelligent square ball that invited a finish after United's defence had been exposed two-on-two.

Thankfully for the visitor, veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was alive to the danger, advanced quickly, and made an impressive block with his shoulder.

Rather than feel sorry for itself, United used the interval to refocus.

Within two minutes it had paid dividends.

A concerted period of pressure around the Bursaspor box resulted in Michael Carrick picking out Fletcher with an excellent pass to the corner of a packed penalty area.

This time, Fletcher's aim was true and his shot rattled into the far corner.

Given his mounting injury problems, it was perhaps no surprise Ferguson opted to replace Fletcher not long afterwards after his fellow Scot had taken an awkward-looking tumble by the touchline.

Bebe was introduced to provide more width, although containing Sen appeared to be the key to a United victory and Nemanja Vidic was forced to make a well-timed intervention to prevent Yildirim reaching the playmaker's cross.

But any doubt over the outcome was ended 17 minutes from time when Park released Obertan, who intelligently stepped inside Ali Tandogan before crashing a shot into the roof of the Bursaspor net.

It was a neat way to claim his first United goal and on its next attack, the visitor had another with Bebe running on to Scholes' brilliantly disguised pass before calmly finishing from 10 yards.

Ferguson must have been as delighted with the scorers as the score.

Given the state of his medical room, two of his unsung heroes may have a big part to play in the coming weeks.

Rooney confirmed his intention to quit Old Trafford in a statement, claiming a lack of investment in the first-team squad was the prime reason for his decision.

Ferguson has dismissed a suggestion that he might suspend the 24-year-old, who missed his side's 1-0 win over Bursaspor with an ankle injury.

But Rooney's comments have created a stir the United boss is anxious to sort out.

"We don't want it to become a saga. We have the team to consider," he said.

"We will put it to bed tomorrow.

"I have not read all the statement but we will consider it tomorrow.

"David Gill and I have a meeting at 10am tomorrow morning. David has spoken to the owners tonight, which is important.

"It is really important for us to put it to bed.

"I am manager of a club that is trying to win a game on Sunday against Stoke City.

"That is the most important thing. The rest is a bagatelle."

Ferguson did show signs of being rattled by four days of intense debate around Rooney's career, which first erupted on Sunday morning.

"I am not going on with this all night. Stop it now," he said.

"It is a European game. You have had plenty yesterday. There has been plenty tonight. I am concentrating on the game. Failing that, forget it."

Asked about the possibility of suspending Rooney, he replied: "What kind of imagination have you got?"

Nevertheless, there must be the prospect of some kind of sanction following the devastating assessment of United's future provided by its number one player, who may never pull on a red shirt again such is the furore his comments have caused.

And Ferguson is clearly not convinced Rooney is making the right decision.

"Sometimes you look in a field and see a cow," he said.

"You think it is a better cow than the one you see in your field. It never really works out that way.

"Some players like to think the world is better somewhere else. It never really works."

After watching his side triumph thanks to Nani's sixth-minute effort, Ferguson insists he has none.

"To maintain the success at any club is not a certainty," he said.

"I always believe a four-year cycle is the most you can achieve. Very few teams can go beyond that.

"Last season we almost did it. We were one point short of winning the league.

"But we realised some time ago that Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville were not going to last forever. Therefore our policy is to develop footballers in the place."

He then recounted a story from United's last period of relative decline after 2004, which involved Rooney himself, and included the departures of star names Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"A player said to me Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo were not good enough and he wasn't prepared to wait," said Ferguson.

"That is the problem with potential. People don't identify potential. We are very good at it. I have identified it all my life. I know potential. I know where it can be developed and how to develop it. I have faith in it.

"That is what this club is about. When you see Manchester United at the moment, with 14 players under 22, you don't see the Manchester United for years ahead.

"We will invest in signature players when the time is ready. We were not ready this summer."

Apart from one exception, which is thought to be David Villa, who left Valencia for Barcelona.

"There was one player we would have liked to get, but he chose another club," said Ferguson.

"Some players don't want to leave their country.

"But Manchester United is a big attraction for any player.

"In terms of the future of Manchester United, there are a lot of things in my favour.

"If I told you how many agents phoned me in a week, saying a player would love to play for us - and I am not just talking about run-of-the-mill players - it would amaze you.

"We still have that fantastic romance, and respect from everyone.

"But we will be OK. I have every confidence. The structure of the club is good. We have the right staff, the right manager, a brilliant chief executive. There is not a thing wrong with Manchester United.

"We will carry on."

It all rather overshadowed Bursaspor coach Ertugrul Saglam.

"We wanted to perform to the best of our ability but I don't think we played very well," he said.

"I don't believe United played as well as they would have liked either, so it has not been a very eventful evening."

Maybe not on the pitch. Off it is a quite different story.

Its performance was nothing special once Nani had netted the sixth-minute goal that earned United a UEFA Champions League win over Bursaspor.

Neither did it do much to dispel Rooney's claim his club now lack ambition, a view late chants of 'we want the Glazers out' showed there was some resonance with amongst the Old Trafford faithful.

But after a traumatic few days, in which United's world has been turned upside down by its star striker, the result was all-important.

Sir Alex Ferguson knows far greater tests lie ahead for his players, who must now respond to Rooney's thinly-disguised claim they are substandard.

But at least it is able to face the future with some optimism.

The sense of shock so evident in Ferguson the previous day was mirrored in the stands.

Rooney's own statement appears to seal his fate, and his future away from a club whose supporters have adored him, revelling in the talents of a man who abandoned his boyhood idol Everton aged just 18 for the lure of what he might achieve.

Three titles and a European Cup later, the Rooney era is at an end.

His damning verdict about a lack of investment in Ferguson's squad would have met with some agreement from those who looked at the team sheet and felt Tomasz Kuszczak, Chris Smalling and Federico Macheda are not quite what United needs to challenge Chelsea and hold off the threat of Manchester City.

Amongst the substitutes sat Gabriel Obertan and Bebe, signed on 12 August as a virtual unknown, two days before Rooney began to openly question United's recruitment policy.

Yet the home fans also sensed this was not a night for recriminations, at least until victory was virtually certain in this most trying of campaigns.

On occasions such as this, unity is required.

Within six minutes they had something tangible to cheer.

As Rooney is consigned to history and Antonio Valencia condemned to spend a few months recovering from a broken ankle, Nani is going to be a key man.

It is a quite remarkable position to be in for a player who, 12 months ago, would have been ushered through the exit door with barely a second thought.

Yet his speed and trickery have now found new focus.

And after he collected Darren Fletcher's short pass and nipped inside a couple of static Bursaspor defenders, the Portugal winger spotted his opportunity, went for goal for 30 yards and duly saw his left-footed effort find the corner.

A second would have come in very handy to settle some nerves, if not all given recent shoddy defensive performances.

But skipper Nemanja Vidic and midfielder Michael Carrick - who has so much to prove - were both off target with their half chances and it took an excellent Rafael tackle to rob Ozan Ipek and preserve United's lead after the Bursaspor anchor man had shrugged Vidic aside rather too easily.

By no means could it be classed as vintage United.

After the break Patrice Evra burst into the area but was unable to beat Dimitar Ivankov from an acute angle, then Macheda failed to collect Anderson's short pass when the goal would have been gaping if he had.

Nani then accepted an invitation to shoot from the edge of the box, although this time Ivankov was able to make the save. The less said about his free-kick, which went soaring over the bar, the better.

Rooney's replacement, if there can be such a thing, is Javier Hernandez, the Mexican, whose early weeks at United have already gained him credibility.

He was introduced for Anderson 13 minutes from time as United looked to seal its triumph.

Hernandez was quick to test Ivankov, although Obertan had already hit the outside of a post with a rather tame header from Nani's corner.

United came no closer and, luckily for it, it didn't require it.

Coach Ertugrul Saglam has twice been forced to carpet star man Volkan Sen for going AWOL this season.

On both occasions it was discovered Sen had taken an unsanctioned visit to the United States to visit his girlfriend.

Saglam eventually stood Sen down for two matches, and the midfielder is only expected to be on the substitutes' bench as the Turkish champion looks to gain its first point in Europe's number one club competition.

So, it was with some sympathy that Saglam assessed the plight Ferguson finds himself in.

"These problems occur from time to time with players," he said.

"We have experienced something similar ourselves in the last couple of weeks, so I know what it is like to have player problems.

"But Manchester United have the depth of quality in their squad to know that whoever they put in to replace Rooney is likely to be of a very high standard.

"I certainly don't think it is going to be an advantage for us, or a disadvantage for them."

Defeats to Valencia and Rangers already in its Group C campaign have left Bursaspor knowing it must gain something at Old Trafford to maintain any realistic hope of reaching the knockout stages.

It can draw comfort from the fact one Turkish side, Besiktas, ended United's long unbeaten run in the competition last year, while another, Fenerbahce, was the first team to beat United at Old Trafford in European competition back in 1995.

Not that Saglam's own memories of England are so great, having been the manager when Besiktas was demolished 8-0 by Liverpool at Anfield in 2007.

"That was a difficult defeat to swallow," he admitted.

"But we did also beat Liverpool in Istanbul a couple of weeks before that, which is a far more positive result to look back on.

"In all honesty, neither of those occasions is going to have any bearing on tomorrow.

"It is going to be a tough game for us and we will need to be at our best to get anything from it."

The visitor went ahead through Omer Sismanoglu after 28 minutes and made the points safe when Andre Moritz slotted home a penalty with 20 minutes to go.

Fenerbahce moved up to fourth with a convincing defeat of Genclerbirligi in Istanbul.

Northern summer signing Mamadou Niang opened the scoring after 21 minutes and an own goal from Aykut Demir doubled Fener's advantage four minutes later.

Gencler's hopes of getting back into the contest receded when it had Mile Jedinak sent-off midway through the second half and Fener capitalised late on through Andre Santos.

Ankaragucu came from a goal down to beat Konyaspor 4-1.

Peter Grajciar's 37th-minute penalty handed Konyaspor the advantage but goals from Metin Akan, Jan Rajnoch, Ozgur Cek and Stanislav Sestak saw the host run out convincing winners.

Last season's 1.Lig champion stunned its illustrious visitor by taking a second-minute lead, Florin Cernat tucking away a penalty, and it pulled two goals clear after 11 minutes when Hakan Ozmert drilled home from 15 yards with the aid of a major deflection.

Galatasaray, who began the match in third place but now drop to fourth, pulled a goal back after 74 minutes when Baris Ozbek struck.

Second-bottom Eskisehirspor remain without a win after seven matches, drawing 0-0 away to Bucaspor in the other match.

Bursaspor beat Istanbul giant Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce to win the domestic title last season but had no answer against the Spanish Primera Division side.

Facundo Costa and Aritz Aduriz scored in the first half and Pablo Hernandez and substitute Roberto Soldado added a deserved coat of gloss after the interval.

Leonal Nunez's header forced Valencia keeper Cesar into an early save but Joaquin's cross was headed goalwards by Aduriz as the visitor set the tone.

Omer Erdogan blocked that effort but there was nothing anybody could do in the 16th minute when Costa let fly from 25 yards with his left foot and found the top-left corner of Dimitar Ivankov's goal.

That early setback knocked the host onto the back foot and the game went somewhat flat, Valencia's Alejandro Dominguez heading over the bar from a narrow angle from a rare sight of goal.

Nunez was off target from long range before Mehmet Topal met Joaquin's corner at the other end but saw his shot blocked by Ivan Ergic.

But the five minutes before half-time saw Valencia score a second as well as hitting the woodwork twice.

First Costa hit the crossbar with a free-kick after Volkan Sen fouled Jeremy Mathieu 25 yards out, and then Aduriz doubled his side's lead with a header from six yards.

Ergic blocked a Joaquin effort before Pablo also found the crossbar from 12 yards in stoppage-time.

Nunez fired another long-range effort over before being withdrawn on the hour along with Huseyin Cimsir, with Sercan Yildirim and Turgay Mahadir replacing the pair.

It was to no avail, though, as Pablo again took possession 12 yards out and this time made no mistake as he found the bottom corner in the 68th minute.

Soldado then replaced Aduriz in the 72nd minute and took just four minutes to add his name to a crowded scoresheet.

After Joaquin had shot wide of the near post, Los Che's next attack saw Costa play in the new arrival to finish low across Ivankov.

Federico Insua flashed a shot wide as the Green Crocs sought a consolation but Valencia soared to the top of the group after the opening week.

The Dutchman's agent claimed earlier he wanted to join former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan.

However, the 30-year-old showed no sign of that as he worked hard in the 2-1 Europa League play-off second-leg victory over Trabzonspor, scoring the second goal.

After the match he committed himself to the club by saying: "As far as I know my future is at Liverpool. I've had a great time so far and I hope my future will be great here.

"All I want is to win trophies with Liverpool."

It was something Hodgson welcomed but did not think was necessary.

"Dirk Kuyt is not for sale so excuse me for not understanding the speculation of being happy now he has said he is staying because I never doubted he was staying," added the Englishman.

"Dirk is an important part of Liverpool, I've made it clear we don't welcome any offers for him and he's not for sale.

"As far as I'm concerned he is someone I believe in, someone I count on, and it is important we improve the team around the Steven Gerrards, Fernando Torres's, Jose Reinas and the Kuyts and not sell them and start all over again."

Hodgson said there had been no movement on Javier Mascherano's situation, who is a target for Barcelona, and dismissed suggestions Inter Milan had entered the bidding with a faxed offer to the club.

"I saw a fax the other day but I think it was sent tongue-in-cheek to be honest," he revealed.

"The offer was so unbelievably far from a valuation it seemed to me the sporting director was putting the fax in to maybe satisfy people at the club.

"We didn't even bother to answer it, that is how ridiculously far from a serious offer it was."

Hodgson admitted his side was 'looking down the barrel' against Trabzonspor before a late comeback secured its passage.

Trailing to Teofilo Gutierrez's fourth-minute strike, the Reds secured a 3-1 aggregate scoreline and passage into the group stages thanks to a late Remzi Kacar own goal and a tap-in from Kuyt.

It was Liverpool's first victory over Turkish opposition in Turkey, having famously become European champion for the fifth time in Istanbul in 2005.

"We were looking down the barrel here coming to Trabzon," said the 62-year-old.

"They were fresh off a win over Fenerbahce here, they are last season's champions, they don't lose at home and we beat them at home.

"To get a result here was something quite important and will stand us in good stead for plenty of other matches.

"We had the toughest possible start but I thought we got over it and throughout the game played well.

"Quite frankly we should have had the game sewn up long before we did.

"But I was relieved."

Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes was disappointed his side could not pull off a shock.

"I am really upset but I think we had a positive game and our players tried their best.

"Until the last 10 minutes we tried to control the midfield but we were really tired in the last few minutes.

"But I am grateful to our players and supporters."

The violence occurred in Istanbul.

Private NTV television says PAOK and Fenerbahce fans later threw bottles at each other outside the stadium. Riot police intervened to prevent a possible brawl between the supporters.

No injuries were reported but NTV says a number of fans were detained.

The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Gunes, best remembered for leading Turkey to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals, was a member of the Trabzonspor side beaten by Liverpool on its way to European Cup glory in 1976-1977.

Liverpool lost the first leg of that second round tie in Trabzon 1-0 but hit back to win the second leg comfortably 3-0.

The two clubs face each other for the first time since that encounter in the first leg of a UEFA Europa League play-off.

Gunes, who was in goal in that last meeting, said: "At that time the infrastructures of the clubs were very different.

"We were playing against maybe the strongest team of the time and they became European champions.

"We won at home but when we came here it was really surprising.

"On the matchday when we came here it was sunny, but when we arrived in the evening the pitch had been watered.

"We were surprised and we conceded three goals in 20 minutes to get eliminated.

"They had many famous players - Toshack, Dalglish, Clemence. We still have positive memories of Liverpool from that time in Trabzon but, personally, I am a Manchester United fan!"

Trabzonspor, the Turkish cup winner, is perhaps the country's most celebrated club from outside Istanbul.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes it was the toughest of the non-seeded teams the Reds could have drawn.

Gunes is looking forward to pitting his wits against the five-time European champion with a place in the Europa League group stage at stake.

He said: "We are going to play against a big brand of European football and it will be a tough game but, if we deserve to have a place in European football, we should be ready for these kind of difficult games.

"We are ready for a tough challenge and all kinds of conditions."

In what Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Brendan Schwab says should serve as a warning to others thinking of a move overseas, Vukovic was informed last week his three-year deal with the Turkish Super Lig club had been ripped up.

Vukovic left his A-League job with the Mariners in June, aiming to further his career and Australia prospects with the Turkish club.

But a statement on Konyaspor's website said his contract had "been terminated and he has left our team", though no reason for the decision was given.

Vukovic's manager Dragan Jevtic confirmed the former Olyroos' goalkeeper was heading home to sort out his playing future.

"He's coming back and in the next day or two we're going to see what the plan is for his career at the moment," Jevtic told AAP.

"The most important thing is to find a club as soon as possible."

It's believed that Konyaspor decided to change plans and register someone else as one of its quota of 10 foreign players, leaving Vukovic surplus to requirements.

Schwab said that was not sufficient grounds for contract termination and the 25-year-old will seek compensation from Konyaspor while also trying to find a new club.

"He'll need to take action against the club in order to be compensated. We've instigated that process by preparing the papers which will ultimately go to the FIFA dispute resolution chamber," Schwab told AAP on Monday.

"Danny's also a free player. So his obligation and his responsibility to his career now is to seek alternative employment as soon as possible and his preference is to do that within Europe or of course, if necessary, by returning to the A-League.

"But clubs make their plans around the (transfer) window and in and around the season and as a result of that the opportunities are not what they could've been a month or so ago."

Schwab said others should take careful heed of Vukovic's plight.

"Danny's going to be yet another Australian player who will have to take action through the PFA to the FIFA dispute resolution chamber to seek compensation," he said.

"I think it's a very salient lesson for all Australian players to have their eyes wide open when they make their moves.

"We have significant experience now in acting for players who find themselves in difficulty, where the contracts are not respected.

"Turkey is a country that unfortunately will have clubs that will try and tear up contracts without compensation."

Schwab said Perth Glory recruit Josh Mitchell had only just received his international clearance but team-mate Michael Baird was still in limbo, after both walked out on Romanian team Universitatea Craiova earlier this year.

"Josh some time ago terminated his contract ... because the club had failed to pay him for a period in excess of three months," Schwab said.

"Unfortunately Josh has missed the start of the season and Michael Baird is still waiting for his clearance."

Speaking to The World Game moments before his introduction to the club’s staff and playing group, Gulum said he was confident Besiktas would retain him beyond the 12-month loan period.

“Besiktas don’t have a left-sided stopper. They are rare in Turkey. I’m very fortunate because there’s very few playing in the left-sided position with a left-foot,” Gulum, who will wear the No.2 jersey for his new team, said.

“I’ve got no doubt that I will get that chance to show myself, put that jersey on and prove to everyone that I am that player they expect.

“A door has opened up for me and I have to take this opportunity. These opportunities don’t come around often.

“I just turned 23, got signed by my childhood team but I can’t get head over heels about it. I’ve got to stay calm and cool and work my ass off.”

The step up to the Turkish Superlig has meant the former Hume City star will get the chance to face-off against some of his idols.

“I grew up watching players like Harry (Kewell) and Lucas (Neill) and now playing in the same league and same level as them is a big deal for me.

Gulum, who has dual nationality, admits he is working towards a call-up to the Turkey national team, who will be under former Socceroos boss Guus Hiddink’s reign, come 1 August.

“I have arrived at a big club like Besiktas and I have high opportunities to play for the Turkish national team,” Gulum said.

“I’ve already met with a few of its players, and people in the Turkish Football Federation are telling me ‘you keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll be playing in the Turkish national team in a few months’ time.

“That’s a big step because it means I’ll also get to play (in the) Euros.

“I know there are big names that play in the Turkish national team in my position but that was only an issue when I was playing at Adanaspor in the second division.

“Now I’m at Besiktas.”

Though, he has not ruled out the possibility of turning out for his country of birth.

Gulum has not appeared in Australian colours since an Olyroos camp in 2007, and is upset about Football Federation Australia's indifferent attitude towards his achievements of the last 24 months.

“No one (from FFA) has bothered to contact me since I left the Olyroos. That’s the honest truth. I’m disappointed,” Gulum said.

“I’m not ruling out the Australian national team at all. It’s just who calls me up first, to be honest.”

“If Australia called me to the national team, just for a cap or something, then I’d be more than willing.”

Gulum will stay in Istanbul to begin training with his new club Wednesday, while his team-mates fly out to Faroe Islands to face Vikingur Gota in the Europa League’s qualifying stages.

The Dutchman, who recently opted to become Turkey coach, is considered one of the candidates for the post left vacant by Jose Mourinho's departure for Real Madrid.

"Inter asked me last week if Hiddink could be a candidate for the Nerazzurri hotseat," said Hiddink's agent Cees van Niewenhuizen to Italian TV Telelombardia.

"They told me that he was the number one candidate on the list.

"I replied that it is impossible because Hiddink has only just started his experience with the Turkish federation and he will not go to the federation and ask them to be freed from his contract. Hiddink wants to respect his contract.

"You can never say no, but I believe it is impossible."

The former Chelsea manager will take the reins of the Turkish national team in August after his contract with the Russian national team expires this month.

There has also been media speculation that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and England boss Fabio Capello could coach the Nerazzurri next season.

Former Rangers striker Arveladze is hoping his personal phone calls to Boyd will help him win the race for the prolific forward, who is set to leave Ibrox when his contract expires this summer.

Arveladze now plans to meet Boyd face to face, the Georgian saying in the Sunday Mail: "I have had conversations with Kris and we will talk some more.

"I'm hopeful he will decide to come here but I know he has other options.

"I really want him to join me. I've made this a priority and hope the personal touch I've added to the move will work in my favour.

"Some coaches prefer to let the club president do the talking but I think the coach should always speak to the player and outline plans."

Birmingham, Newcastle, Blackburn, Wolves, Ankaragucu and Bursaspor have all been linked with Boyd, who this season became the Scottish Premier League's all-time record goalscorer.

The home side were made to work hard for the breakthrough, eventually taking the lead on the stroke of half-time through Volkan Sen.

And Sen made sure of all three points with his second of the game 11 minutes from time.

In an eventful clash, Franco Cangele put the hosts ahead from the spot (32) only for Aydin Toscali's own goal to level matters on the stroke of half-time.

Ariza Makukula restored Kayserispor's lead (58) but Yildiz had the final say six minutes from time to leave his side three points above the final relegation spot, occupied by Diyarbakirspor.

Goals from Marcin Kus in the eighth minute and Hasan Durtuluk after half an hour but Bursaspor on the back foot, with their only reply coming from Volkan Sen in the 79th minute.

Bursaspor still lead by five points but have now played a game more than second-placed Galatasaray, who face bitter rivals Fenerbahce on Monday morning (AEDT).

Fatih Akyel - a defender playing for third-division Tepecikspor who used to play for Istanbul giants Galatasaray in his heyday - was jailed pending trial on charges of fraud and membership of a criminal organisation, his lawyer, Sezgin Guraslan, said in televised remarks.

Akyel was one of 46 suspects, among them footballers from the country's top league, detained as part of the investigation into match-fixing.

The Turkish Football Federation confirmed that an investigation was under way, but said it was not related to a Europe-wide match-fixing scandal involving Turkey that broke out last year.

Akyel, 32, played 64 times for Turkey from 1997-2004.

Istanbul police chief Huseyin Capkin said that the suspects were detained in a swoop in 26 provinces and that the probe "is targeting (a total of) 53 people."

Four of the suspects - former international Arif Erdem, now a coach at first-division Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor (IBB), two of his players and a player from top-flight club Sivasspor - have so far been released after questioning, the Anatolia news agency said.

Among the suspects who remained in custody were several players from first-division clubs Denizlispor and Kayserispor as well as footballers from lower divisions, managers and club administrators, Anatolia said.

"The probe was launched upon a complaint lodged by the Turkish Football Federation on August 4, 2009... (based on) information and documents obtained from inquiries into three separate match-fixing cases," the federation said.

Match-fixing allegations as part of a Europe-wide probe launched last year in Bochum, Germany are being investigated separately, it said.

In November, German prosecutors announced that a 200-strong band had been rigging games in Germany, Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Austria and Switzerland.

By bribing players, coaches, referees and officials to influence games, the gang is thought to have earned as much as $16 million in huge bets with bookmakers in Europe and Asia, primarily in China.

Among 200 suspect matches are 29 games in Turkey from the first division downwards.

Daniel Guiza netted the only goal of the game just after the half-hour to put Fener level on points with third-spotted Besiktas and one behind second-placed Galatasaray.

Diyarbakirspor moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference at the expense of Sivasspor courtesy of a 1-0 home triumph over 10-man Antalyaspor.

Substitute Erhan Kucuk notched the only goal of the game 20 minutes from time after Sedat Agcay had been sent off for the visitors.

Mehmet Guven was on target three minutes from time as Manisaspor went three points clear of the drop zone with a 1-0 home victory over Istanbul Buyuksehir BSK.

Another Brazilian, Beto, had given the hosts a half-time lead but substitute Alanzinho struck a minute from time to ensure a share of the spoils.

The result leaves Trabzonspor fifth in the table, seven points from the summit, while Gaziantepspor lie ninth.

The 24-year-old Quaresma passed a medical before putting pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Italian champions.

Quaresma, who will wear the number 77 shirt for the Nerazzurri, will be officially unveiled at a press conference at 1230 (local time) on Tuesday.

Portuguese champions Porto confirmed earlier that the two clubs had agreed a fee which could rise to 30.6 million euros ($A52.5million)and includes Pele.

A statement on the club's website, www.fcporto.pt, read: "Porto announce they have reached an agreement in principle with Internazionale for the transfer, on a permanent basis, of the sporting rights of Ricardo Quaresma.

"The agreement is fixed at 24.6 million euros and foresees the receipt of 18.6 million euros, to which can be added the value of 6 million euros, resultant of the acquisition of the sporting rights of Pele.

"The entire value to be received for this transfer could reach 30.6 million euros, depending on the sporting performance of Ricardo Quaresma and of the club that he will represent, Internazionale, during the next three seasons."

The deal puts an end to months of speculation linking Quaresma with a move to the San Siro and reunites him with compatriot Jose Mourinho, who took up the Inter reins this northern summer.

The Romania international was linked with a move to Celtic earlier this northern summer but has opted to return to his homeland.

Dinamo have the option of making the transfer permanent at the end of Tamas' loan spell, for a reported fee of four million euros ($A6.8million).

The 24-year-old, who can play at full-back or at centre-half, featured for his country at Euro 2008.

The 20-year-old has been high on the wish list of ADO coach Andre Wetzel, whose plans to strengthen his newly-promoted side stalled as Milic's paperwork was processed.

However, with his permit granted, Milic was free to sign a four-year deal with ADO on Wednesday.

He joins from Montenegro champions FK Buducnost Podgorica for an undisclosed fee.

"ADO Den Haag have today reached an agreement with FK Buducnost Podgorica in a deal for Bogdan Milic," a statement on ADO's official website read.

"The 20-year-old from Montenegro had been waiting for a work permit, but that has now been processed.

"An agreement has been reached with Milic for the player to sign a contract which ties him to ADO Den Haag until 2012."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (SWEDEN v Greece, June 10)

The Inter Milan star ended his international goal drought stretching back to 2005 with a stunning strike to open the scoring in the 2-0 victory over the defending champions. Having collected a throw-in wide on the right, he exchanged passes with Henrik Larsson on the angle of the penalty area before lashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net.

Wesley Sneijder NETHERLANDS v France, June 13)

The Real Madrid midfielder collected Robin van Persie's pass and was given too much time to turn by Jeremy Toulalan. From 22 yards he unleashed a dipping shot which beat Coupet and went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (GERMANY v Portugal, June 19)

Striker-cum-winger Lukas Podolski exchanged quick passes with Michael Ballack wide on the left before outpacing Jose Bosingwa. Schweinsteiger timed his 50-yard diagonal run to perfection, arriving at the near post to side-foot home the cross.

Semih Senturk (TURKEY v Croatia, June 20)

Trailing 1-0 to Ivan Klasnic's goal in the 119th minute of extra time, Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber launched a kick into his opponents' penalty area. Semih leaped to challenge with Josip Simunic and the ball fell kindly for the striker to turn smartly and smash a left-footed shot into the roof of the net. A great goal for drama alone.

Daniel Guiza (SPAIN v Russia, June 26)

An injury to leading scorer David Villa saw Cesc Fabregas brought on in the first half of the semi-final. The Arsenal maestro performed brilliantly and his delightful, instinctive first-touch chip split the Russian defence and set up Guiza, who finished a wonderful move. All three of Spain's goals against the previously-brilliant Russia were of the highest quality.

Cesc Fabregas (Spain)

Neutrals in England were collectively incredulous that the Arsenal talisman was not an automatic starter for Spain. But despite being restricted to a substitute role for most of the tournament behind Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Silva, he has been hugely influential with match-winning performances coming off the bench. His pass for Daniel Guiza's goal in the last-four win over Russia was perhaps the best in the tournament.

Lukas Podolski (Germany)

The Polish-born striker had an indifferent season for Bayern Munich, scoring just five goals in 25 appearances. That form saw him relegated to a left midfield berth for Germany at the championships but it also relieved him of the goalscoring burden. Freed from the responsibility he responded with both goals against Poland in their opening match and also scored in the defeat to Croatia. He has been linked with a move to England.

Andrei Arshavin (Russia)

Suspended for the first two matches after getting sent off in qualifying, the playmaker repaid the team with two superb performances to get his side into the semi-finals. He created one and scored one in the crucial win over Sweden to get out of Group D and then inspired his side to victory over Holland. An off night against Spain undoubtedly dented his reputation, though his performances prior to that still stand.

Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)

Often the unsung hero in Real Madrid's title-winning side last season, the midfielder flourished on the big stage and was the key figure in Holland's creditable - if brief - run at Euro 2008. Having scored two goals in two matches as his side beat Italy and France, he was off-colour in the quarter-final defeat by Russia but his work in the two group matches was certainly memorable.

Semih Senturk (Turkey)

The Fenerbahce striker was a mere fringe player coming into the tournament but has quickly established himself by scoring crucial goals at vital moments. Having scored in the 2-1 win over Switzerland in the group phase, Semih scored a dramatic equaliser in the quarter-final against Croatia to force a penalty shoot-out. He then netted a late leveller moments from full-time against Germany in the semi-final, only for Philipp Lahm's last-gasp winner to end their dream.

Kazim-Richards was a key member of the Turkey squad which reached the last four of the Euros for the first time in their history in Austria and Switzerland, appearing in all five of their matches.

One of his best performances was reserved forthe semi-final against Germany, where the London-born forward flourished in a makeshift Turkey line-up shorn of a host of players through injury and suspension.

Not only did he hit the crossbar twice but he also gave the highly-rated German full-back Philipp Lahm a torrid time down the right wing.

Few would have predicted such a rise to prominence for Kazim-Richards while he was plying his trade in various English divisions with Bury, Brighton and Sheffield United before switching to Fenerbahce in 2007, but the 21-year-old insists all those people who wrote him off only inspired him to get better.

"I pray to God that my career can keep going the way it's going," he said following the semi-final against Germany, which Turkey lost 3-2 following Lahm's dramatic 90th-minute winner.

"I think I've proved a lot of people wrong and I just hope that the people who keep doubting me, keep doubting me, because it motivates you."

"I hope that everyone isn't satisfied (with me) because I don't call them haters like some people do, I call them motivators. They motivate me to do well and keep proving people wrong."

"Look at someone who said to me two years ago that I will never be anything, but look at me now, I personally think I had a good game in the semi-finals of Euro 2008 against Germany, who can possibly go on to win the tournament."

Turkey's next major assignment will be the World Cup qualifiers. They begin their Group 5 campaign away to Armenia on September 7 (AEST).

Kazim-Richards revealed the Turkish players had already turned their thoughts to those World Cup matches not long after the final whistle against Germany.

When asked about the belief in the camp, he said: "The belief is unbelievable even though we lost, and we were just saying that we can take this experience into the World Cup qualifiers, we are already talking about the World Cup now."

While Turkey's future looks bright, it also looks likely to be without the guiding hand of coach Fatih Terim who will now return to club management.

The former AC Milan and Galatasaray boss - nicknamed 'The Emperor' in Turkey - feels his players should hold their heads up high for what they achieved in the tournament, and in particular against Germany,

"I said I was proud of them, told them not to feel bad," said the 54-year-old.

"Yes, of course it's the end of the tournament, we are at day 47 with them and it's not easy to be together and have discipline when everybody else is on holiday."

"These players have been here to serve their country, what they did was impressive and I wished them a lot of success for future."

The 35-year-old goalkeeper racked up cap number 118 in the 3-2 loss in Basel.

Rustu said: "I am ending my international career after 14 years, in which I have played with pride and honour for the side."

The Besiktas stopper came into the tournament as second-choice, but played in the last-eight win over Croatia and against Germany because Volkan Derimel was suspended.

Rustu saved a penalty from Mladen Petric to earn Turkey victory over Croatia in the shoot-out, but was at fault for Miroslav Klose's goal which put Germany 2-1 up in the semi-final.

12 minutes: Colin Kazim-Richards comes close to breaking the deadlock as Turkey continue to make all the running, the London-born forward rattling the Germany crossbar with a thumping drive after the ball was pulled back by Ayhan Akman. The ball stays alive, and Per Mertesacker has to be alert to clear off the boot of Semih Senturk at the near post.

17: Lukas Podolski's battling play sets up Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack with a chance for Germany on the edge of the six-yard box but Mehmet Topal gets in with a desperate challenge to clear for a corner.

22: GERMANY 0 TURKEY 1: A low cross into the Germany penalty area is met by Kazim-Richards with a sliced effort that arcs over the head of Jens Lehmann before coming back off the crossbar into the path of Ugur Boral, who fires home through the legs of the former Arsenal goalkeeper.

26: GERMANY 1 TURKEY 1: Germany equalise against the run of play after Podolski whips in a low cross from the left wing for Bastian Schweinsteiger to flick the ball beyond Recber Rustu with the outside of his right foot.

33: Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger unlocks the Turkish defence with a superb ball to unleash Podolski down the left channel but the forward fires narrowly over.

37: Topal drills in a fierce left-footed free-kick from the right-hand edge of the penalty area that Lehmann fends to safety with an assured two-fisted punch.

39: Rolfes and Ayhan Akman have a sickening clash of heads that leaves both players requiring treatment. Ayhan was able to resume play almost immediately, but Rolfes, sporting a nasty cut on his eyebrow, was subjected to lengthier running repairs and would not return to the fray for five minutes.

41: A flowing Turkish move ends up at the feet of Sabri Sarioglu, who fires narrowly over.

50: Swiss referee Massimo Busacca enrages the German contingent after waving away appeals for a penalty when the advancing Philipp Lahm is taken down by Sabri on the edge of the Turkish penalty area.

60: Sabri fires in a low shot but Lehmann gets down well to gather the effort at the near post.

72: Hitzlsperger's long range effort sails inches wide of the left upright.

79: GERMANY 2 TURKEY 1: Miroslav Klose scores with a header after Rustu came to claim Lahm's cross when he should have stayed on his line and the striker had the easiest of chances to guide the ball into the unguarded net.

86: GERMANY 2 TURKEY 2: Sabri turns away from his marker on the right touchline and advances with the ball before crossing low for Semih to sneak the ball beyond Lehmann at the near post.

90: GERMANY 3 TURKEY 2: Lahm sends Germany into the final with a superb strike, the defender coming forward from the right full-back position before exchanging passes with Hitzlsperger and finishing emphatically beyond Rustu into the top left-hand corner of the net.

90+3: One final chance for Turkey to take the match into extra-time when Ballack commits a needless foul on the edge of the area, but Tumer Metin's left-footed free-kick fails to threaten Lehmann's goal.

GERMANY

Jens Lehmann: Made good early save but was distinctly edgy throughout and at error for late Turkey equaliser. 4

Arne Friedrich: Tested throughout but perhaps emerged with more credit than some of his colleagues. 6

Per Mertesacker: Slow to react to Turkey's attacks and wasteful in possession. 5

Christoph Metzelder: Seemed to lack understanding with Mertesacker. 5

Philipp Lahm: Given a torrid time by Kazim-Richards in first half but more forceful after break and fired brilliant winner. 6

Thomas Hitzlsperger: Former Aston Villa midfielder was quiet early on but grew in influence as game wore on. 7

Simon Rolfes: Struggled to impose himself as Turkey dictated pace, replaced after suffering nasty head injury. 5

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Germany's most influential player, took his goal well. 8

Michael Ballack: Not at his most effective, had to dig deep. 6

Lukas Podolski: Threatened on occasions when given service, strong in second half. 7

Miroslav Klose: Ineffective early on but later warmed to challenge. 6

Torsten Frings (on 46): Added bite in midfield. 6

Marcell Jansen (on 90): No time to make an impression.

TURKEY

Rustu Recber: Little to do until costly error allowed Klose to claim winner in 79th minute. 5

Sabri Sarioglu: Gave attacking options but lucky to escape conceding a penalty after clash with Lahm. 6

Mehmet Topal: Looked composed on switch from midfield to defence. 6

Gokhan Zan: Gave an assured display. 6

Hakan Balta: Comfortable on ball, fought hard. 6

Mehmet Aurelio: Offered good options, missed a good headed chance. 7

Colin Kazim-Richards: Outstanding display of energy and attacking intent, hit crossbar twice. 9

Hamit Altintop: Fought hard for possession, almost pounced on early Lahm mistake. 7

Ayhan Akman: Made determined runs forward. 7

Ugur Boral: In right place to scramble in opening goal, tested Lehmann. 7

Semih Senturk: Constant menace up front, grabbed deserved late equaliser but it was not enough. 9

Mevlut Erding (on 80): Little impact after late introduction. 5

Gokdeniz Karadeniz (on 83): Made late impression. 5

Nihat had already been ruled out of Turkey's semi-final clash with Germany in Basel on Thursday (AEST), and it has now been revealed he will play no further part in the tournament.

The Villarreal forward has returned home to Spain after suffering the injury three minutes from the end of extra time inSaturday's (AEST)clash, which Fatih Terim's men went on to win on penalties.

A statement on the Turkish Football Association's official website read: "Before going, he sent his best wishes to the squad and wished them victory against Germany."

The 28-year-old is Turkey's joint top scorer in the competition with two goals - he scored the equaliser and the winner in his side's dramatic 3-2 win over the Czech Republic which qualified Turkey for the knock-out stages.

Nihat's absence is another blow to Turkey, whose squad is already depleted through suspension and injury.

Servet Cetin, Tumer Metin and Emre Belozoglu are all injured, while Emre Gungor has already been ruled out of the tournament.

Terim had only 15 available outfield players for the Croatia clash, three of whom will be banned for the match against Germany after picking up their second yellow cards of the tournament.

Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel will find out on Monday if an appeal against his suspension has been successful.

Indeed, such is the extent of Turkey's injury crisis that UEFA officials could be forced into an emergency meeting if Terim asks to call up a replacement player.

The former AC Milan boss refused to call up anyone when replacements were allowed, but should he need to now then a request would have to be made to UEFA.

"If a team, for instance, only has eight players then there will probably be an emergency meeting but at this stage we have not had any requests," said UEFA director of communications William Gaillard.

The good news for Terim is midfielder Mehmet Aurelio returns from suspension.

Terim's selection problems mean Colin-Kazim Richards is likely to feature, giving the London-born forward a chance to be a make his mark on the international stage.

"There is always a chance to be a hero but if we win the cup I won't mind if it is someone else," said the Fenerbahce forward.

"You have ambition and personally you want to be the hero and you want to score the goals but it is also a team game."

The severity of Terim's selection concerns has led him to consider playing reserve goalkeeper Tolga Zengin as an outfield player.

"He could come on towards the end as a sub as last man or a centre-forward," said Terim.

"We can't allow ourselves the luxury of players choosing where they want to play."

"We have shown several times already that we can achieve the impossible. I have faith in my team and in our ability to reach the final."