Dursun Özbek responds to illegal betting allegations: 'We have no part in such things'

Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek made evaluations regarding the betting investigation currently being debated in the public eye. Özbek stated that Galatasaray has no ties to illegal betting and opposed the club being drawn into the focus of such allegations.

EXPLAINED THE SPONSORSHIP PROCESS

In his statement, Özbek touched upon a past sponsorship process, saying that they had made a sponsorship agreement through a news website and had asked the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for their opinion on the matter. Stating that they received a "permissible" response from the TFF, Özbek reported that the federation changed its decision the next day and informed them that the site was banned.

"WE WITHDREW FROM THE CONTRACT THE SAME DAY"

Dursun Özbek stated that following the federation's change of decision, they withdrew from the sponsorship agreement in question on the same day. Emphasizing that Galatasaray did not gain any financial benefit during this process, Özbek stated that not a single penny from this agreement entered the club's coffers.

Touching upon the disciplinary processes carried out regarding some football players within the scope of the betting investigation, Özbek reminded that it is forbidden for football players to engage in betting. Stating that the identified players received the necessary disciplinary penalties, Özbek said that the debate regarding athletes who have served their sentences is meaningless.

Özbek criticized the mention of Galatasaray's name in public comments regarding illegal betting, stating that there is no person within the club associated with this business. He described the association of Galatasaray with such allegations as "baseless."

REMINDED OF BLACK MARKET TICKET ALLEGATIONS

President Özbek also recalled the black market ticket allegations previously leveled against Galatasaray. He even mentioned that the 75 million Euro fee discussed in the Victor Osimhen transfer was linked to black market ticket sales.

Stating that it is easy to understand what such allegations mean and for what purposes they are brought to the agenda, Özbek reiterated that it is unacceptable for Galatasaray to be associated with illegal betting.

"WE HAVE NO PART IN SUCH THINGS"

Dursun Özbek, in the continuation of his statement, stated that Galatasaray has no improper conduct and that they will express this stance on every platform if necessary. He emphasized that the club is progressing in accordance with the roadmap drawn in the past.

Özbek reminded that during his presidency in the 2016-2017 period, they laid out plans for the future of Galatasaray, and that the real estate projects carried out at that time were also subject to criticism. Stating that today Galatasaray aims to establish a permanent place in Europe, Özbek expressed that the club continues its work in this direction.

At the end of his statement, Dursun Özbek reiterated that Galatasaray should not be associated with illegal betting, and made assessments that the statements and labels made in this direction are intentional.

News Source: 12punto