Clubs Association Foundation President Ali Koç sets a date for TFF elections at meeting

Speaking to members of the press at the Clubs Association Foundation's building in Maslak, Koç stated that the sole agenda item was changing the date of the TFF elective general assembly, which had been announced for July 18.

Underlining that all clubs are in agreement that the election must be held as soon as possible for the benefit of Turkish football, Koç said, "There are various methods for this. Legally, there are two ways; if we go to an election by collecting signatures, the earliest the election can be held is the third week of June.

But what we want is for it to be at the beginning of June. This is possible through a decision to be taken by the TFF. We believe that July 18 is not appropriate in terms of new season planning and tying the hands of the incoming president. There is a consensus on this issue; there are different thoughts such as 'Let's do it through dialogue, let's do it through dialogue and signatures, they already have to do it with signatures'."

Pointing out that the clubs have reached a consensus on holding the elections at the earliest possible date, which is the beginning of June, Koç continued as follows:

"The fastest period in which an election can be held through the TFF's own will is 22 days. If we act from today, it is possible to hold the elections at the end of the current season. We believe that the path for the incoming federation will be clearer. As the Clubs Association, we have decided to act together. We will request an election for June. We have formed a delegation. This delegation will visit the TFF to convey the decisions we have taken, our feelings, and our thoughts, and explain why we are demanding an early election. In the meantime, the signature collection process will continue. If it weren't for the holiday in between, the signatures would have already been collected."

Emphasizing that some clubs are uncomfortable with a situation that has occurred, Koç spoke as follows:

"We have clubs among us that are uncomfortable with a certain issue. I will not name names, but we found it extremely strange that some TFF executives have been calling lower-league clubs to talk about benefits and financial support. We wanted to state in front of you that a TFF board member has been calling clubs and telling them 'do not provide signatures'. The right thing to do is for this person to resign.

There are 14 clubs here right now, 6 clubs could not attend the meeting. But the issue on which we are all clearly united is that the election should be held at the beginning of June. I hope we can all reach the point we desire together. If our federation does not agree to act in this direction, we will keep our second alternative in hand. That will also be completed within a few days."

"(Mehmet Büyükekşi) The general opinion is that he will not be a candidate, and that it would be wrong for him to be one"

Stating that there is no division among the Clubs Association between those who signed and those who did not, Koç expressed that everyone wants the election to be held as soon as possible.

Speaking about whether TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi will be a candidate in the upcoming elective general assembly, Ali Koç said the following:

"Whether the current president will be a candidate or not has also become a matter of confusion. There is information in some clubs that he will be a candidate, and in others that he will not. Our understanding is that he will not be a candidate. But the majority's opinion is that the new season should be planned with a new staff and fresh blood. The general opinion is that he will not be a candidate, and that it would be wrong for him to be one. There is also the view that if he were to be a candidate, he would not receive support from the Clubs Association."

Expressing that some presidents are in agreement regarding dialogue and that the 4 names to be determined will implement the persuasion process, Koç said, "We prefer this because it is a more stylish and elegant method. We are continuing the signature process because we want to have the other ammunition in our pocket in case the persuasion method does not bear fruit. I will not give a clear number right now, but we reached nearly 100 signatures on the eve of the holiday.

With those who have promised and stated that they will provide signatures after the holiday, the number reaches 200. The thought of a considerable number of presidents here is that what comes after this should be structured correctly, that it should be a multi-candidate election, and that the federation should be determined through a multi-candidate election by people from within football. If we do not structure what comes after this, and if we do not speak out against the methods of the past, the same problems will continue."

Stating that the foreign player quota rule and the format change of the Ziraat Turkish Cup adopted by the current TFF management were decisions taken together with the clubs, Koç also mentioned that a study could be carried out in the future regarding changing the instruction for collecting signatures for clubs to go to a general assembly, and that this could be changed.