Football: Fenerbahce awarded 3-0 win by forfeit

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Fenerbahce has advanced to Turkish Cup final after the country’s football federation on Saturday awarded them 3-0 win by forfeit over Besiktas.

On Thursday, Turkish Cup's semifinal second leg match between Besiktas and Fenerbahce was cancelled after the latter refused to take to the field after a violent April 19 derby match.

According to the statement by Turkish Football Federation, Besiktas was disqualified from the tournament with the loss and are also banned from participating next year.

On April 19, the Istanbul derby football game was called off due to violence after Besiktas Manager Senol Gunes got injured by objects flung from the stands of Fenerbahce's Ulker Stadium.

The Ziraat Turkish Cup's semifinal second leg was postponed at the 57th minute and Turkish Football Federation decided on Wednesday the match will continue where it left off on May 3, but with no fans in attendance.

In a statement released via Besiktas football club's official Twitter account two weeks ago, the club said it had decided not to take the field.

"We have always been on the pitch for 115 years, winning, losing or drawing on the pitch. For not accepting to lose with decisions, we will not be on the pitch on May 3, Thursday," the statement said.

The first leg at Besiktas' home ground, Vodafone Park, had ended 2-2.

Akhisarspor are the first squad to reach the cup final after eliminating Galatasaray.