Turkish soccer federation sacks 94 staff, including referees

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) Turkey's soccer federation says it has sacked 94 members of the association, including a number of referees.

The Turkish Football Federation said the action was taken as a ''necessity'' without saying whether those dismissed were suspected of links to U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey accuses of masterminding the country's July 15 failed coup.

The decision came days after the federation said all members of all of its committees had tendered their resignations to help the investigation into Gulen's movement.

Gulen, who heads an international network of schools, charities and businesses, denies any knowledge of or participation in the coup.

The private Dogan news agency said those dismissed included an assistant Super League referee, adding that no other top league referee was sacked.