No teams to be relegated from Turkey's Süper Lig over coronavirus

Duvar English

No Turkish teams will be relegated from the Süper Lig after a season impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, Turkish Football Federation chairman Nihat Özdemir said on July 29.

BtcTürk Yeni Malatyaspor, Hes Kablo Kayserispor and MKE Ankaragücü had been set for relegation from the 18-team top tier after finishing in the bottom three places in the league, which was won by Istanbul Başakşehir.

However, Özdemir said they would remain in the Süper Lig, which will be played with 21 teams next season, with the addition of three promoted teams.

At the end of the 2020-21 season, four teams will be relegated, bringing the number of sides down to 20 the following season.

Relegation was also cancelled for Turkey's lower leagues, Özdemir told reporters after a meeting of the federation and the sports minister.

He added that the Süper Lig's new foreign player restrictions would also not apply for the 2020-21 season.

The current rules say Süper Lig clubs could sign a maximum of 14 foreigners in a season as there are no restrictions for the starting 11.

The new rule indicates that clubs can sign 14 foreign players at most, with eight playing on the pitch at any given time.

Turkey halted its 2019-20 season in March and resumed games in June without spectators as a measure to stem the spread of coronavirus.