A new act in the Ali Koç controversy: A message from Tanju Özcan to the Fenerbahçe community!

Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan has issued an apology to the Fenerbahçe community following a dispute with Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç that began on social media and continued over the phone. In a post on the X platform, Özcan stated that his intentions had been misunderstood.

Özcan stated, "Sometimes perceptions can get ahead of the facts. At no point in my life have I held a hostile attitude toward the fans of any sports club," noting that the process he started for humor was interpreted differently. Emphasizing that he held no negative intentions toward Fenerbahçe fans, Özcan said, "I convey my apologies for the misunderstandings to the Fenerbahçe fans who sincerely think I exceeded my intent, by sharing this video with the Fenerbahçe community."

Sometimes perceptions can get ahead of the facts. At no point in my life have I held a hostile attitude toward the fans of any sports club. However, due to my general rhetoric, some individuals and groups who already display a negative attitude toward me,… pic.twitter.com/oIIGLoj6Qt

— Tanju ÖZCAN (@tanjuozcanchp) August 23, 2025

WHAT HAPPENED?

Last Thursday, in a post on his social media account, Tanju Özcan had made transfer requests to Boluspor in a humorous tone directed at Ali Koç. This post drew the reaction of Fenerbahçe Vice President Sertaç Komsuoğlu, who stated that Özcan was trying to use Fenerbahçe to stay in the spotlight.

Following Komsuoğlu's statement, Özcan criticized his phone conversation with Ali Koç on social media and harshly criticized Koç's attitude toward him. Özcan had expressed his reaction by saying, "Ali Koç called me a little while ago. Perhaps emboldened by his money, he tried to lecture me. Of course, he got a piece of my mind in return."

Recalling his past support for Fenerbahçe, Özcan had stated, "It is true, I am not a Fenerbahçe fan. You can ask Mr. Aziz Yıldırım about me. While the July 3 FETÖ conspiracy was being set up against the Fenerbahçe club, and while many big, wealthy, and famous Fenerbahçe fans buried their heads in the sand, I was the only Member of Parliament to expose this conspiracy from the podium of the Turkish Grand National Assembly."

In conclusion, Özcan stated that he apologized to the Fenerbahçe community and was making an effort to prevent the incident from escalating further.

News Source: 12punto