Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç to step down!

The Fenerbahçe Club High Council Meeting began today. During the meeting, Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç officially announced his decision to step down from his presidential role.

In his address to the council, Ali Koç stated, "I thank you for the interest you have shown in the continuation of my presidency. I have been honored and proud throughout this process. However, God willing, we will continue under the leadership of a new president in June."

Ali Koç further added, "Presidential candidates can announce their candidacy and get in touch. I am ready to assist."

Here are the highlights from Ali Koç's other remarks:

The Fenerbahçe President said, "Even a late goal affects us all deeply due to our community's fragility, especially our players... As president, I am drawing attention to this issue in such a season because it is the result of a 10-year process. Championships are difficult and have been for many years. Especially when it comes to Fenerbahçe! We will experience many things on this path, but we must not stop supporting until the end of the season. Recently, Fenerbahçe's rival has been Fenerbahçe itself. This is my specific request to you. When matches get tight, the team needs the stands. We trust our team; I hope the path leads to a championship and a bright future. I thank İsmail Kartal, Mario Branco and his assistant Okan Özkan, our executives, and our players. I sincerely hope they lead our community to the championship. Antalyaspor is one of our toughest matches; I hope luck is on our side."

"OUR COACH İSMAİL WANTED KRUNIĆ VERY MUCH"

Discussing the process of Rade Krunić joining the team during the mid-season transfer window, Koç said, "Our coach İsmail wanted Rade Krunić very much. He has a simple, solid, and reassuring presence. He could have cost much more, but it was a transfer under 3 million Euros. We brought in Leonardo Bonucci because of his leadership character and his desire to play for a championship in his final season. It is said that the center-back line is crowded, but we played the FC Nordsjaelland match without any center-backs."

Touching upon the transfer of Çağlar Söyüncü, Ali Koç said, "We added Çağlar Söyüncü to our squad. There was a financial gap between us and Atlético Madrid regarding the Çağlar transfer, and we walked away from the table during negotiations. Something happened that I had never seen before. Then, Çağlar sacrificed the signing bonus he was to receive from Atlético Madrid to play for Fenerbahçe for four months. He gave up a figure in the millions of Euros. I thank him for his sacrifice. I thank Selahattin Baki. I hope this transfer is auspicious and beneficial for our Fenerbahçe and for Çağlar."

REMARKS ON VARGAS

Announcing that national volleyball player Melissa Vargas will return to Fenerbahçe, Ali Koç said, "Regarding the transfer of Melissa Vargas... The transfer window in Turkey closes on January 31. As you know, she plays in China and then comes to us. For Melissa to come to our country, we wanted her team to finish the final series in 3-0 and for her to arrive with the end of the league on January 30. Melissa Vargas's team had not been defeated for 55 matches; they almost didn't even drop a set. However, after 55 matches, her team suffered its first defeat. The final series was extended, and this made it impossible for us to complete the licensing procedures in time. With the efforts of the Volleyball Federation and our executives, and a little push from Vargas's management company, I announce that Melissa Vargas will return to the team. The licensing procedures have been completed. She is still injured and has only just started playing. I hope she will contribute to us in March and April. This transfer had a cost. I thank our sponsors who supported us."

Ali Koç stated, "In our country, where such extraordinary events occur in such a short time, football continues as if nothing has happened. We are moving forward with firm steps, and our community is our team's greatest supporter. This season, we see the Fenerbahçe we have missed, with the team and the fans. However, these are not enough for the championship struggle in Turkey. The TFF and the decisions made by referees on and off the pitch affect the fate of the race. Controversies on the pitch continue every week. Inconsistent referee performances have become the norm."

News Source : 12punto