Turkish clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahce have been banned from competing in Europe by football governing body UEFA for their involvement in domestic match-fixing.
Romanian side Steaua Bucharest have also been handed a suspended one-year ban for a breach of Champions League participation regulations.
Fenerbahce, who has been handed a two-year ban, where due to enter this season’s Champions League after finishing third in the Turkish League last season, but will now miss out. A third year has been suspended over a five year probation period.
Besiktas will drop out of the Europa League after receiving a one-year ban from Europe’s football governing body.
This will be the second time Fenerbahce are missing out on European competition after they were withdrawn from the 2011/12 Champions League by the Turkish Football Federation pending investigation for match-fixing.
In July 2012, ninety-three people- including club officials, coaches and players- were charged in a civil trial which centered on the club’s league-winning run of 2011.
Besiktas and two club officials were also investigated over match-fixing allegations, among which was the 2011 Turkish Cup final.
The banned clubs had their cases heard at a disciplinary hearing in Nyon after months of gathering information by UEFA.
