Dursun Özbek makes statement on foreign referee for Fenerbahçe derby

Galatasaray Sports Club President Dursun Özbek attended the signing ceremony held for the women's football team's jersey sleeve sponsorship agreement.

Özbek made statements regarding the current agenda during the ceremony.

Speaking about the match in which Adana Demirspor walked off the pitch, Özbek said, "There is nothing to evaluate in a sporting sense. It is necessary to evaluate the background of the incident and how it occurred. As you know, in our country recently, discussions regarding football are being attempted to be taken outside of how football is played and the evaluation of players' performances.

Constant provocative actions. Rather than how football is played, distorting the purpose of the subject saddens the Galatasaray community. Mentioning football in this way causes negative perceptions, just as it damages the brand value of the country. We must give this up. I am calling out to all stakeholders of football. We must be aware that these attitudes are darkening the future of Turkish football," he said.

"WE HAVE FILED A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT"

Stating that they have filed a criminal complaint, Özbek continued as follows:

"It is clear that comments that polarize football do not bring any benefit to our football. I think our society needs peace. We have reached other places. Everyone who is a rival to Galatasaray has gone from television station to television station, engaging in rhetoric with the aim of provoking Galatasaray with completely different comments and completely different accusations.

These were done in the past as well. It produced no benefit. Today, of course, those who continue these statements and those who encourage them must be evaluated separately. A duty falls upon the supreme Turkish justice system; I had said that this is a project. It is the Turkish justice system that will clarify the incident and show what these statements serve.

As of yesterday, we filed a criminal complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Turkish football no longer has the tolerance for these statements. I am saying it again and again. The Turkish people, our society, need peace. Galatasaray will not be involved in any incident that will bring unrest. Galatasaray will not be involved in any action aimed at provocation. We have only one goal: to serve Turkish football."

"WE WERE THE FIRST TO ASK FOR FOREIGN VAR"

Responding to the question, "What would you say about Fenerbahçe's request for a foreign center referee in the derby?", Özbek said, "A good question. I have concerns about which angle to view the question from. We were the first to ask for foreign VAR, and it did not receive support that day. Then this need emerged. Last year, a foreign VAR referee came, but it yields results if done in a planned manner. It was successful last year, but this year... It happened in the last match on Sunday. Just bringing in a foreign referee or VAR... One should not evaluate the need in this way," he said.

"THEY MUST BE AT A LEVEL TO CONTRIBUTE TO FOOTBALL"

Dursun Özbek said, "Qualified people should come for this job. Today, we saw that there was no preparation for this issue. A foreign referee must be at a level that will contribute to football. Otherwise, I don't think the results will be brilliant when we just take someone from there and bring them here. It is important to bring in competent and successful foreigners and have them officiate matches here. The TFF needs to strengthen its efforts on this matter," he said.

RESPONSE TO MURAT SANCAK

Regarding Murat Sancak's statements about Galatasaray Manager Okan Buruk, Dursun Özbek said, "I don't think the things Murat Sancak said about Coach Okan are true. Coach Okan is a value of this country. He is an extremely valuable football man who grew up at Galatasaray. One must be very careful when making comments and putting forward unrealistic statements. I watched Mr. Murat's statement with sadness, especially when the Adana Demirspor player also said that he didn't say such a thing.

Trying to wear down Galatasaray with such issues is futile. No one can criticize or speak ill of Coach Okan's success, character, and personality. He is a self-sacrificing football man who loves his country. Trying to smear this with false statements is absurd. I condemn what was said about Coach Okan and I think it should be corrected," he used the expressions.

Dursun Özbek concluded his words as follows:

"The transfer window ends today. Within the framework of the work done by our scouting team and the meetings we held with our coach and technical staff, we made the transfers that will provide the best service to Galatasaray. We had to address these deficiencies. We now have a much stronger Galatasaray. I wish our technical staff and players success. The management has met the demands coming from the technical staff. A great duty falls upon our fans. I want the same support to continue from them. I think this united state of Galatasaray has frightened our rivals. I think these efforts, which are taken off the pitch, are the product of this fear. We will continue on our path in the same way."

News Source: 12punto