Aziz Yıldırım: I refuse to be part of this process, the existence and timing of which I do not approve of.

Aziz Yıldırım, a former president of Fenerbahçe Club, said, "I refuse to be a part of this process, the existence and timing of which I disapprove of. If a congress were to be held, it should have been held in June. In the current situation, the club's best interest lies in waiting calmly for the end of the season so that those making the decisions about the responsibilities the club will bear will not have to hide behind any excuses."

Aziz Yıldırım, stating that he felt compelled to make a statement due to his name being speculated upon in numerous scenarios during Fenerbahçe's election campaign, said, "I have been repeatedly encouraged and advised to run for office in the upcoming congress by both my close circle and those within our community."

I TOLD YOU THAT HOLDING A CONGRESS IN SEPTEMBER WOULD NOT BE IN THE CLUB'S BENEFIT

Recalling his criticisms regarding the congress date, Aziz Yıldırım said, "However, it should be remembered that at the Supreme Board Meeting held on July 26, 2025, I stated that holding a congress in September would not be in the club's best interest and should be abandoned. A congress held at such a time, under the current circumstances, would be a congress not for Fenerbahçe, but for the current administration. This decision is nothing more than a childish attempt to deceive the community."

Yıldırım continued, "However, today, Fenerbahçe's, and indeed all Turkish sports clubs', core issue has shifted from the skills and talents of its managers to a different, more significant one. The issue of management culture and managerial ethics is increasingly becoming the primary concern not only for Fenerbahçe but for all sports clubs. Expenses, revenue and expense deficits, the disappearance of competition, the emergence of patronage and favoritism as a characteristic of the league, borrowing far beyond the club's current and future capabilities, the mortgaging or sale of club assets, and the concealment of financial realities by manipulating financial statements are all bound to lead to a major fiasco, with innocent people ultimately paying the price."

Yıldırım, criticizing the current administration by stating, "Being a club president is not a career step," said, "Clubs cannot be made the object of presidents' desires to be 'successful.' Management is not a game either. Those who can't get enough of playing can play with toys they bought with their fathers' money. You can't play with the future and honor of communities worth millions."

"I REFUSE TO BE PART OF THIS PROCESS, THE EXISTENCE AND TIMING OF WHICH I DO NOT APPROVE."

"This congress is being held at the behest of the current administration, using Fenerbahçe's resources," Yıldırım said. "I refuse to be a part of this process, the existence and timing of which I disapprove of. If a congress were to be held, it should have been held in June. In the current situation, the club's best interest lies in waiting calmly for the end of the season so that those making the decisions about the responsibilities the club will bear will not have to hide behind any excuses."

'I AM MORE OF A FENERBAHÇE FAN THAN A FENERBAHÇE PRESIDENT'

Aziz Yıldırım, one of the former presidents of Fenerbahçe Club, concluded his speech with the following words:

I'm more of a Fenerbahçe fan than a Fenerbahçe president. This state of affairs saddens me, as it does all sincere Fenerbahçe fans. However, holding a congress and running for office under circumstances where the season has already begun, transfers have been made, and managerial candidates are rejecting Fenerbahçe, saying, "I will not accept responsibility for a squad I didn't build," carries no meaning beyond factionalism for me.

What I want to say to the Fenerbahçe community on this occasion is that we should all work together for the success of our team, support the team for the championship we long for, and if there is a score to be settled, let it be settled until the end of the season.

I request the public not to speculate on my name in any way regarding this matter, and I wish success to our teams and athletes competing in all branches in the new season.”

DHA

Reporter: News Center