Election statement from Ali Koç! Will Fenerbahçe hold an extraordinary congress?

Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç is making evaluations at the yellow-navy club's High Council Board meeting. Speaking at the meeting held at the Faruk Ilgaz Facilities in Kalamış, Ali Koç's statements are as follows:

'The psychological advantage was in our hands. Our belief was that the point gap would close in the remaining fixtures. We jeopardized our championship chances with points we lost that no one could have foreseen. Many of you were rightfully angry. We, however, do not have the luxury of being sad; we have to resolve these problems. The point we have reached with a draw that is difficult to explain in a season we started with hope has put us in a disadvantageous position. Despite everything, I would like to thank those who stand by stability.'

'YOU DO NOT HAVE THE LUXURY OF DISLIKING AND CRITICIZING'

'Last year, our community re-elected us for another 3 years. We started our work before the congress last year. We brought in Mourinho, the most successful coach in football history. Our goal with him is not just today, but to plan for the future as well. You do not have the luxury of disliking and criticizing. We are a community that even criticized İsmail Hoca, who earned 99 points. In line with our coach's demands, we started the transfer process early and finished most of it before the summer camp. We made our plans, even if it came at a slightly higher cost. We have built the most valuable squad in Fenerbahçe's history in financial terms. I believe we have built a high-quality, experienced team.'

'I said that if there is failure, the sole person responsible is the president. I did not use anyone as an excuse. This will continue to be the case. I believe we have done our best in terms of football structure. Sometimes things happen in football that reason and logic cannot understand. When the mid-season break came, we increased our investments to strengthen our squad. We signed Talisca, Skriniar, and Diego Carlos, and we placed our already strong squad on an even more solid foundation. Of course, second place does not satisfy any of us. We have been playing for the top for years, but we have to settle for second place.'

WE WILL NOT BE A CLUB THAT CHANGES PRESIDENTS WITH CHANTS

"I do not accept the perception that 'the management is in a state of weakness' that some are trying to drag Fenerbahçe into. We, as the board of directors, are at our post and will continue our struggle. Fenerbahçe will not be a club that changes presidents through social media or chants from the stands. Fenerbahçe is not an institution that will be dragged into a congress at every negative situation. If we open this door, the things you see in other clubs and say 'Thank God it doesn't happen to us' will start to happen in our club too. If we open this door, forget about a powerful Fenerbahçe management. We still have work to do. Open the door so they can hear."

'EXAMINE THE PEOPLE YOU SUPPORT WELL'

I am addressing the young people on social media. Young people! It is your right to support someone for Fenerbahçe. Examine the people you support well, weigh them carefully. Understand their principled stances and values, and please make your decision accordingly. We were sad, we saddened you, we were worn out, we caused disappointments, but in two years, you too will say, 'It is a good thing these men did not get scared, did not run away under pressure.'

'WE HAVE NOT THROWN IN THE TOWEL'

'We have done everything to change the picture in football. If there is a situation regarding our football investments this year where you say 'You did this very wrong,' please tell us. We will continue our struggle. Our biggest embarrassment to you in 7 years is regarding football. We have not thrown in the towel; we do not have the understanding or the luxury of throwing in the towel. You never know what will happen in football.

With the steps we have taken, Fenerbahçe will stand on its own two feet financially starting from the summer months. We have paid 3.5 billion TL in interest to the Banks Association in two years. At the financial general assembly we will hold in September, we want to officially announce our exit from the Banks Association. We will exit this agreement. This is a victory for the Fenerbahçe community.

'We will start the new stadium at the end of May 2026. If necessary, we will play the first half of the season in another stadium. Hamdi Bey says 4 months, I say 6 months. You never know. We have to make this sacrifice to have such a stadium. We are in favor of stability regarding the coach, and we do not want to start from scratch every year.'

'IT BECOMES A PROBLEM WHEN WE VISIT'

Nothing happens when our rivals sell stocks, but it becomes an issue when we do. How many clubs have visited our President; why is it a problem when we visit? We have land issues, we have tax issues... Whether you like it or not, we have to respect the position. Please let us unite and focus on future goals. Who knows what will happen in the coming weeks. When I first spoke with Mourinho, I said, 'This country is not like any country you have worked in.' He is learning."

'Our President accepted us, thank you. We consulted on our real estate projects that have been waiting for a long time. One is the land next to our arena, the other is the college, and the third is the land in Maltepe. We presented our stadium project to you for the first time; we have not yet presented it to our President and Minister Murat Kurum. I would like to thank our President and our Minister very much. I hope the issues we agreed upon will be implemented as soon as possible.'