Servet Yardımcı: 'Everything in Turkish football will be renewed after July 18'

UEFA Executive Committee member and Turkish Football Federation presidential candidate Servet Yardımcıheld a press conference at a hotel in Istanbul. Yardımcı provided information regarding the problems and solutions of Turkish football, his TFF presidential candidacy, and his work.

Starting his speech by congratulating the Amputee National Football Team, which became European champions for the third consecutive time, Servet Yardımcı, "The TFF election to be held on July 18 is not an ordinary election, but an extraordinary one. Unfortunately, because all stakeholders of our football are dissatisfied with the conditions, events, and most importantly, the direction of Turkish football, the TFF management had to call for an extraordinary election. I believe that a new page will be turned for Turkish football on July 18. Turkey has the knowledge and experience to solve its own problems in every field. July 18 should be the beginning of a period in Turkish football where common sense, prudence, knowledge, communication, and cooperation rise. Everything in Turkish football will be renewed after July 18. Systems that exist in the world and in Europe will also be implemented in our country. Every member of the Turkish football family who votes for change in the election will contribute to the beginning of a new rise in football. I have been representing my country as a UEFA Executive Committee member for 7 years. I am always asked questions in Europe on behalf of Turkish football, and in the last 2 years, especially regarding what happened this season, I have received such questions that, believe me, I did not know how to answer. I felt great sadness with every question I received. Problems in Turkish football have become chronic. Solutions have remained blocked. It has regressed further with every crisis. Problems occur in the world's most popular sport, like football; the real skill lies in the ability and will to solve these problems. Regulatory bodies like FIFA and UEFA have great experience in this field. The committees I lead have the structure and understanding to solve problems. Just as we solve problems in the world and in Europe, and just as we produce solutions while managing football at FIFA and UEFA, we will build the same rules in Turkey starting from July 18, together with experts in their fields. While representing Turkey at the highest levels of football at FIFA and UEFA, I now want to bring the knowledge and experience I have gained to my country as federation president, with the support and will of Turkish football." he said.

''AMONG THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE LACK OF TRUST IN FOOTBALL...''

Emphasizing that the environment of trust in Turkish football has been completely lost, Yardımcı, "Clubs, fans, administrators, the media, and football stakeholders are distant from one another. There is a reality in football; the fairer and more authentic the game on the pitch, the higher the joy, excitement, and inspiration football provides to society. The higher the excitement in football, the larger its economy becomes. One of the primary reasons for the lack of trust in football is the structural problems of the Central Referee Committee. The board's management, the referee and observer system, and issues with statutes and instructions are the main problematic areas. The widespread belief that decisions made in Turkish football vary according to the person, situation, place, and time contradicts the public conscience and the principle of fair play. Endless fights whose origins have perhaps even been forgotten, hate speech, physical aggression, unresolved issues, and a football climate that fosters hostility instead of competition must come to an end. What needs to change in Turkish football is not just the management, but the mentality. I have set out to achieve this change in mentality. We will change everything that has brought our football to this point. We are also well aware of our clubs' economic problems. We are working on a new model regarding this at UEFA." he said.

 ''WE WILL MOBILIZE OUR RELATIONSHIPS AT UEFA AND FIFA FOR THE SERVICE OF TURKISH FOOTBALL''

Also making assessments regarding the solution to the problems in Turkish football, Servet Yardımcı he said the following:
"We will not fight with anyone; we will sit down and work with everyone. We will bring the reliable, fair, and economically strong football environment found in Europe. Football represents more than just a sport all over the world. Football is a universal language.
It has a unifying power that transcends borders, cultures, and historical ties. It brings people together and reconciles them, regardless of religion, language, or race. It is a magical game that inspires billions of people, young people, and children around the world, adorning their dreams. As the guardians of this game, we are responsible for supporting the fundamental values of football and constantly serving its development and growth. From July 18 onwards, with a brand-new understanding and excitement, we will move forward by acting in partnership with all stakeholders of the football family, mobilizing our relationships in UEFA and FIFA, our human resources, and our strength in the service of Turkish football. With a calm, friendly, self-confident, and sharing attitude, we will solve problems through mutual cooperation and an institutional approach."

''WE BROUGHT THE FINALS TO ISTANBUL''

Yardımcı, stating that Istanbul is very important for UEFA, "Every investment made in football, from grassroots to the elite level, is valuable. Although Turkish football management has been stuck within its problems, it is also reaping the rewards of having made strong investments. When I started my duty at UEFA, I set out to contribute to football. My most important goal was to make Istanbul, a world brand of Turkey, a city of finals. Turkey has become UEFA's most reliable partner. Istanbul is the heart of world football. There are world giants and hundreds of thousands of foreigners who have memories of championships in Istanbul. Istanbul is also very important for UEFA. As you know, we have achieved another very important success on behalf of Turkey; we brought the 2026 UEFA Europa League and 2027 UEFA Europa Conference League finals to Istanbul. Turkey is a very strong brand with its stadiums, facilities, modern infrastructure, airports, roads, tourist facilities, and social fabric. Thanks to hosting EURO 2032, we will also have the opportunity to introduce our other cities to the world with their culture, history, and cuisine. We have achieved these goals step by step. The 2005 and 2023 UEFA Champions League finals, the 2009 UEFA Cup final, the 2019 UEFA Süper Cup final, the 2026 UEFA Europa League final, the 2027 UEFA Europa Conference League final, and the EURO 2032 European Football Championship, which we will co-host with Italy. We have brought all of UEFA's elite-level organizations to Turkey. I would like to thank my close friend, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who has never withheld his support from Turkey, and my colleagues on the UEFA executive committee once again. We cannot forget their support in bringing these organizations to our country. After July 18, we must have another new goal: to bring the FIFA World Cup organization to our country." he said.

Wishing success to the A National Football Team, which will compete in the 2024 European Football Championship to be held in Germany, Yardımcısaid at the end of his speech, "May the path of Turkish football also be clear after July 18. May it be the beginning of a new and long-awaited era for our country, our nation, and Turkish football." he said.

Later, Servet Yardımcı’s board of directors list, which includes Cemil Kazancı also delivered a speech.