Ertuğrul Doğan: 'I don't remember anything like this'

Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan made statements on A Spor regarding the abandoned İstanbulspor match.

Doğan said, "İstanbulspor hosted us for a meal before the match; they were our hosts. Ecmel Bey is from Trabzon, and he is a good elder of ours. There is no problem between the managements. They hosted us very well. During the course of the match, a situation developed; I couldn't watch the replay, and I don't think the issue is related to this match. Ecmel Bey had previously expressed complaints about the referees. Today, such a situation developed. He turned to me and said something like, 'Forgive me, it's not about you, I just can't take what's being done anymore.' There is nothing to do but to meet it with respect. It is the decision of İstanbulspor and Ecmel Bey. After the match, they also conveyed their thanks. They also congratulated the referees. We went to talk to him, I tried to persuade him, but he was determined. There are very serious issues he is right about. I am a witness to that as well. Other than that, it is not a situation to be discussed much."

Ertuğrul Doğan continued his statements by saying, "Unfortunately, the punching incident was also a situation that no one wanted to see. Can such a thing happen? I said it before at the Union of Clubs; the issue that led Faruk Bey to this situation must also be examined. He is not such a person. We have never seen such a thing from him until today. No matter what, there can be no explanation or excuse for the action taken. All clubs have already made the same statement. He also made a statement. But the developing process brought it to this point. This is the truth."

Answering the question, "Do you believe this federation can take the necessary precautions?" Doğan said, "I do not believe it. There have been many such incidents in Turkish football. I don't remember a period like this one."

Stating that Ecmel Sarıalioğlu could also make a statement, Ertuğrul Doğan said, "Ecmel Bey has very serious problems. I think everything will become a bit clearer after his statements. There was never a problem between the two teams. They hosted us very well. They came to us after the match as well. The decision they made during the match is their own decision; I do not want to comment on that."

News Source: 12punto