The firmness of Infantino’s stance is under scrutiny, however, because of the approval he gave in January 2012 to the Turkish Football Federation to apply lesser sanctions than those in the TFF’s own disciplinary regulations, which would have relegated Fenerbahce. The club were vehemently opposing that sanction and a fear was also circulating in Turkish football that TV income could be reduced if Fenerbahce were not playing in the top division.
On 19 January 2012 the TFF general secretary, Ebru Koksal, wrote to Infantino, asking if it was permitted under Uefa’s rules for the TFF to “amend” the sanctions in its own disciplinary regulations. The TFF proposed that instead of relegating Fenerbahce, the club would be stripped of the 2011 championship, have 12 points deducted, be fined and withdrawn from European competition.
Infantino replied to Koksal the next day, 20 January 2012, reassuring her that it would not break Uefa rules for those lesser penalties to be applied. Infantino advised: “The task of dealing with this matter is primarily the responsibility of the TFF.”
But Infantino went further than stating that regulatory position and advised Koksal that Uefa approved of these lesser sanctions for match-fixing: “We can say, on behalf of Uefa, that taking all circumstances into account, your proposal appears to constitute a reasonable, proportionate and appropriate response to address this matter.”
The TFF chairman at the time, Mehmet Ali Aydinlar, has said publicly that this agreement from Uefa was reached to avoid the Turkish clubs losing huge money and was the result of “bargaining” with Uefa officials. Uefa held its annual congress two months later, in Istanbul.