Statement from Mehmet Büyükekşi, who left the stadium during the Beşiktaş match
TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi, who left the stadium at halftime due to protests during the Beşiktaş – Lugano match, said, "I am truly very sad. If what happened had been isolated, I would have stayed, but it was an organized event."
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Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi, who was watching the match between Beşiktaş and Lugano in the VIP box alongside Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak and Beşiktaş President Ahmet Nur Çebi, faced intense protests as the first half came to an end.
Upon the reactions directed at him intensifying significantly, President Büyükekşi left the stadium in an agitated manner along with the TFF board members accompanying him. Minister Bak, however, remained in the stands.
"IT WAS AN ORGANIZED EVENT"
According to the report in Milliyet; President Mehmet Büyükekşi stated that he was very saddened by the events.
Büyükekşi said, "I am truly very sad. As the TFF management, we try to attend the European matches of all our teams. We also came to the Beşiktaş match. Mr. Çebi was complaining, saying 'you don't come to our matches' regarding the matches organized for earthquake victims. We were making a return visit. However, we encountered an environment we did not expect. Everyone does what suits them. If what happened had been isolated, I would have stayed. However, it was an organized event. The Minister also conveyed his sadness. We left the match after getting his approval as well."