Statement from AKP's Şamil Tayyar on Sadettin Saran: 'If Fenerbahçe becomes champion...'

Fenerbahçe President Sadettin Saran announced in a press conference that he would continue his duties until the end of the season and that the club would then head to an extraordinary general assembly with elections.

The statements of Fenerbahçe President Sadettin Saran are as follows:

"Perhaps for the first time in my life, I am weighing my words so carefully. You have seen throughout my tenure that I have not been a president who loves to talk. It is time to explain myself and where I stand with calmness. When I aspired to this position, I had only one dream: to return Fenerbahçe to where it is greatest, to the pitch, to the place where there are trophies, not polemics."

'WE WILL GO TO A GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH ELECTIONS AT THE END OF THE SEASON'

"There have been things said and implied about me. There have been allegations that have nothing to do with reality, and judgments passed in headlines before the decision of the law. I have been a person who believes that the law and the presumption of innocence are necessary for everyone. The path I choose is to explain the truths to this community with calmness. Considering the current situation of our club since we took office, how close our Fenerbahçe is to its financial freedom, the schedule of matches in Europe and the league, our belief in the championship, the fact that we finished the first half undefeated and are getting closer to the goal every day, and the world-class transfers and projects we have initiated as the new management in all branches, I will continue my presidency until the end of the season, and then we will take our club to an extraordinary general assembly."

"My entire focus is to fulfill my responsibilities completely and to prepare our club for the will of the general assembly without any personal agenda. This decision I have made for the end of the season is perhaps a decision I needed to make for today. I do not want an ongoing case regarding myself to drag our club back into a legal process. It is clear that there are things we need to achieve. There are quite a lot of issues that need to be addressed. Thinking about the priorities of Fenerbahçe is the fundamental obligation of everyone who sits in this office."

'I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE MY CHAMPIONSHIP DREAM UNFINISHED'

"There is only one thing I thought about while making this decision. This process has gone beyond a legal debate and has started to turn into an agenda around our Fenerbahçe. This is what really worried and challenged me. This is not a step back, but the result of a will to clear the path for Fenerbahçe. I was born 61 years ago as the child of an American mother and a father from Kırıkkale. I grew up in different cultures. I have been a person raised with the values of these lands, who knows where to stand when the homeland is mentioned. I have loved Fenerbahçe and sports very much in my life. For years, I have opened facilities and schools all over my country so that underprivileged children can meet sports."

"I came to this duty with the dream of a championship, and I do not want to leave this dream unfinished. This community has overcome its most difficult moments throughout history by standing shoulder to shoulder. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our valuable fans who have stood by me and never withheld their support since the first day of the process."

"I also owe a debt of gratitude to the members of the press who perform the profession of journalism with responsibility, within the framework of ethical principles, and who stand in pursuit of the truth instead of passing judgment."

'I HAVE NEITHER USED NOR SEEN THE SUBSTANCE MENTIONED IN THE REPORT'

"Regarding the allegations made against me in recent weeks, I would like to state clearly: I have been someone who has advocated for a healthy life throughout my life. I have neither used nor seen the substance mentioned in the report. I have full faith that the process ongoing against me will conclude as it should, within the law and before all relevant institutions. I have not run from justice, and I am not running. The answer to every word to be said and every question to be answered is the law."

Following these statements by Fenerbahçe President Sadettin Saran, notable remarks came from AKP's Şamil Tayyar.

Şamil Tayyar stated that if Fenerbahçe becomes the champion at the end of the season, Saran will run for office and win the election, using the following expressions:

“If Fenerbahçe becomes champion, Sadettin Saran will run and win.

In this case, no power in Turkey can put him in prison.

The Republic of Turkey is a state of law, but no one wants to face 25 million people before an election.”