Dursun Özbek voices referee concerns ahead of Fenerbahçe derby

The Galatasaray Sports Club's annual budget meeting was held at the Haliç Congress Center. While the club's financial situation was discussed at the meeting, President Dursun Özbek also made evaluations regarding both the financial picture and developments on the pitch.

Özbek reacted to the appointment of Yasin Kol as the referee for the upcoming derby match against Fenerbahçe, stating the following:

“I want you to understand what we are struggling with every day. Look at the referee appointment made for our match. They are testing our nerves by appointing a referee who does not have a FIFA badge and whose performance throughout the season and positioning on the field are controversial. It is unclear what they aim to achieve by appointing a referee whom all clubs in Turkey criticize to one of the few major derbies in the world. There is one point on which Turkish football is united: this referee is not suitable for this match. We are questioning why this referee was appointed while other FIFA-badged referees were available.”

In his speech, President Özbek also touched upon the football team's successes and emphasized the yellow-reds' progress toward the championship. “Our men's football team is moving with confident steps toward its fourth consecutive and 26th total championship. We have achieved goals that we had been distant from in Europe. I believe we will carry these successes even further,” he said.

Stating that the club will face greater tests in the coming seasons, Özbek said that as a club, they will struggle not only in sporting competition but also in a test of unity and solidarity: “We are continuing the struggle we have been waging for 3 years this year as well. The great successes we have achieved together are not only appreciated but also envied. These envious people are making our club a target. Rest assured, next year will be more difficult than this year. A critical process awaits us where not only our sporting side but also our unity and solidarity will be tested.”

NBA EUROPE PROJECT

Furthermore, touching upon Galatasaray's work with the NBA Europe project, Özbek shared that the process is progressing positively and expressed his satisfaction with the club's multi-branch championships in Europe. “Our negotiations regarding the NBA Europe project are continuing. In the meetings held, NBA Europe officials say how impressed they are by Galatasaray's fan power and the Aslantepe project. With the cup won by our women's volleyball team, Galatasaray became the first Turkish club to win championships in football, basketball, and volleyball in Europe. We are happy and proud,” he said.