Tensions Rise at Fenerbahçe Congress: Aziz Yıldırım Walks Out Amid Controversy
Aziz Yıldırım took the stage while Erol Bilecik was explaining Fenerbahçe's debts, interrupting Bilecik's speech. Yıldırım declared, "The election held was undemocratic. I am leaving now. I will come to vote tomorrow," and left the stadium.
Tense moments occurred at the Ordinary Electoral General Assembly Meeting of Fenerbahçe. Fenerbahçe Presidential Candidate Aziz Yıldırım approached the podium during the speech of the club’s vice president, Erol Bilecik. Yıldırım began speaking at the podium but was warned by the meeting chair, Vefa Küçük, who said, “Mr. Aziz Yıldırım, you cannot speak without permission from me.” Yıldırım responded, “I will take permission. You sat there without being elected.”
Ali Koç and Aziz Yıldırım spoke for a while in front of the podium. Vefa Küçük then said, “Since he has come to the podium, let’s give Mr. Aziz Yıldırım 30 seconds to speak,” and granted Yıldırım the floor.
AZIZ YILDIRIM: “IT WAS AN UNDEMOCRATIC ELECTION, I AM LEAVING”
Taking the podium, Aziz Yıldırım claimed that the election for the chair of the congress was undemocratic and announced he would leave the general assembly. Yıldırım said, “The election held was undemocratic. I am leaving now. I will come to vote tomorrow. Those of our friends who want to stay can stay,” and then left the stadium.
AZIZ YILDIRIM’S PRESS CONFERENCE
Aziz Yıldırım accused Ali Koç of saying, “Let’s fight if necessary”
Fenerbahçe Presidential Candidate Aziz Yıldırım made a statement about the incidents at the club’s general assembly.
Protesting the election for the chair of the congress, Yıldırım left the meeting and answered questions from the press.
Yıldırım’s statements are as follows:
“NON-MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESS WERE LET IN”
“You all saw how the election for the chair of the congress was rushed through. As the delegates’ reactions grew, the situation became tense. There were fights in some places. Fans who were not congress members were also let in. People were allowed in under the guise of being officials.”
“MR. ALI KOÇ SAID, ‘LET’S FIGHT IF NECESSARY'”
“I went to the podium to find a solution to this mistake. My aim was to create a peaceful environment. I turned to Mr. Ali and shook his hand. I said that the behavior of the chair would lead to a fight. Mr. Ali said, ‘Let’s fight if necessary.'”
“I WON’T BE SURPRISED IF THEY TRY TO OWN FENERBAHÇE”
“Those who accepted these shortcuts might try to own Fenerbahçe one day, and I won’t be surprised. Is Fenerbahçe a team of corporations or the people? We will vote on this tomorrow. I expect all our delegates at the stadium tomorrow. I will be there from the early morning and will stay until the election is over.”
“IT IS WRONG TO EXPLOIT MOURINHO”
“It is wrong to exploit Mourinho. Mourinho is Fenerbahçe’s coach. We should not question him. Everyone should respect him.”
“I LEFT BECAUSE A FIGHT WAS GOING TO BREAK OUT”
“I left because I saw a fight was going to break out. Mr. Ali said, ‘Let’s fight.’ I laughed it off.”
“I AM AGAINST SELLING THE CLUB TO INDIVIDUALS”
“They talk about clubs becoming companies and being owned by individuals. After the Anadolu clubs, they talk about this for the big clubs too. I am against this. Clubs belong to the fans and the congress members.”
“THE OPPOSITE SIDE RAISED BOTH HANDS”
“Mr. Şekip had more votes, but the opposite side was raising both hands. A committee should have been formed, and the votes should have been counted in the stands. The upper stands were not counted. The others were organized, raising both hands.”
“THERE SHOULD BE NO CHEERING AT THE CONGRESS”
“Fenerbahçe delegates must be sensible and not act like cheerleaders. The congress should not be turned into a cheering event. This harms Fenerbahçe’s greatness. No one has the right to do this.”
“I WILL NOT WITHDRAW MY CANDIDACY”
“I will not withdraw my candidacy. I will be at the stadium tomorrow morning, and I will stay there until the election is over. If I had stayed, a fight would have broken out. The situation would have escalated. I am not afraid of anyone. Cowards die every day, the brave die only once. We will die once. We have fought with many. I will not run away. If I had stayed, it would have harmed Fenerbahçe.”
“IF WE DON’T WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP, I WILL GIVE $50 MILLION”
“I will give a $50 million letter of guarantee to the congress. I was going to say this today, but it didn’t happen. If we don’t win the championship, I will give that money to Fenerbahçe.”
