Chelsea threatened by Turkish Football Federation over illegal move for Guus Hiddink

Guus Hiddink (Turkey manager)

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The president of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has issued a warning to Chelsea in their pursuit of Guus Hiddink and questioned the honesty of the manager himself.

TFF president Mahmut Ozgener seems to be suspicious over an illegal move for the services of Hiddink and has cited his intent to bring the matter before Fifa if his suspicions are confirmed.

 “Chelsea has a past record for signing players who are under contract, if the same thing happens, we will make a file of the payments we made to Hiddink and we will go to Fifa,” Ozgener told Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

An official approach for the former Australia and South Korea manager’s services was made by Chelsea last week but Ozgener believes the 64-year-old was sounded out prior to Turkey’s 1-1 draw with Belgium.

“After the Belgium game I went to the dressing room and asked Hiddink what he will do,” Özgener added.

“He replied, ‘I will go to Turkey’s B team match and then go to South Korea for a charity match.’ But after that I learnt he said different things to the players. He should have told me what he told the players.”

The Blues would be forced to pay the TFF £3.5 million in compensation should Hiddink make the return to Stamford Bridge and the London Club may well hope that Ozgener is deposed from his role during presidential re-elections at the end of June  – an issue he insists will not affect Turkish Football’s policing of any deal for their current manager.

“You cannot come to Turkey and then leave when you want,” Ozgener said.

Should Chelsea land their man, they will take their compensation payments to over £9 million as the departed Carlo Ancelotti was set to receive £6 million for his dismissal.