Fenerbahce president Yildirim found guilty of match-fixing but will be released from prison

Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim has been found guilty of the match-fixing charges brought against him, but having spent a year behind bars awaiting trial, is set to be released.

A string of allegations relating to the club’s late title charge in the 2010-11 season were made public in July of last year, but the 59-year-old has maintained his innocence throughout, claiming to have fallen victim to a conspiracy perpetrated by Turkey’s Islamic government.

It had already been announced by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) that no clubs would be punished for their part in the scandal, and only individuals would receive censure, meaning that the likes of Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor would not have to face a season in the second tier.

Yildirim was the highest-profile figure to be implicated in the saga, and was sentenced to a total of six years in prison for charges involving forming a criminal organisation and match-fixing, but due to the time has spent incarcerated over the last 12 months, will be released later on Monday.

He will also have to face a fine of 1.3 million Turkish Lira (€569,000).

Fenerbahce followed up their title win with a second-place finish in 2011-12, and have been cleared by Uefa to compete in next season’s Champions League.

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