Aziz Yıldırım responds to Zico's 'Volkan Demirel' claim
Former Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yıldırım has responded to claims made by Arthur Zico.
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Brazilian coach Arthur Zico, who managed Fenerbahçe in the Süper Lig and led the Yellow-Navy team to a championship in their centenary year, made notable remarks about Aziz Yıldırım on the YouTube channel KAFA Sports.
The Brazilian coach claimed that Aziz Yıldırım wanted him to substitute Volkan Demirel during halftime of the Sevilla match.
Denying Zico's statements, Aziz Yıldırım asked, "What is the purpose of Zico bringing this claim to the agenda 16 years later?"
Yıldırım's statement is as follows:
"There is a false statement on a YouTube channel by our former coach Arthur Zico, claiming that I gave instructions to remove our then-goalkeeper Volkan Demirel from the game during halftime of our Sevilla match.
During halftime of the Sevilla match, I, Mahmut Uslu, and Neşet Yalçın were busy holding a meeting with the then-UEFA President Platini and Deputy General Secretary Infantino regarding the increase of our broadcasting revenues in the Champions League. I did not go to the locker room during halftime, and I did not make any such intervention as Zico mentioned. If I had made such an intervention, I would have shared it with the public openly and without hesitation. We went to the locker room with my fellow board members after the match ended. What is the purpose of Zico bringing this claim to the agenda 16 years later?
My advice to our former Brazilians, who have made it a habit to use my name in every interview they give in order to get more engagement, is to immediately abandon these habits. If necessary, one day I will share what I experienced regarding them with the public, and then everyone will learn all the facts.
Sincerely,
Aziz YILDIRIM"