ISTANBUL - Football Federation Deputy Chairman Ata Aksu said on Thursday that Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) notified that its decision to switch Galatasaray-Juventus and Besiktas-Chelsea matches from Turkey to neutral venues was final.
Aksu told reporters that the federation made its official objection to UEFA on Wednesday.
''UEFA responded to us saying that its decision was final. It said that the security assurances were taken into consideration but effects of the attacks still continued in Turkey. UEFA expressed sadness when taking this decision. It said that it limited this decision with three matches and thus, showed its solidarity,'' Aksu said.
Aksu noted that they would apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland and went on saying, ''there is a legal process. The court can stop the execution or may fine the others to compensation if a decision in favor of us is given. What is important is to search for our right. We won't stop our initiatives. We will exert all our efforts till the very end.''
Stating that Galatasaray should notify the alternative venue to UEFA till 5.00 p.m., Aksu said, ''it is an obligation. Otherwise, UEFA will choose the new venue.''
(BRC-AÖ) 27.11.2003