CHP's Karakoz submits parliamentary inquiry regarding TFF elections

CHP Aydın Deputy Evrim Karakoz has submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the Speaker of the TBMM to investigate allegations that President Mehmet Büyükekşi, who was running for re-election ahead of the federation elections held today, was supported by certain AKP figures.

'IT IS KNOWN THAT THE AKP GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS BÜYÜKEKŞİ'S PRESIDENCY'

In the justification for his motion, Karakoz stated the following:

“Before the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) elections held on July 18, 2024, allegations that the candidacy of current TFF President Mehmet Büyükekşi was supported by representatives of the AKP government and that opposing candidates were pressured to withdraw have been widely discussed in the public and the press.

Despite the fact that many clubs, led by Turkey's leading football clubs such as Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor, along with their communities and fans, have reacted against the current TFF President and called for his resignation, it is known that the AKP government and figures close to the AKP have persistently supported Mehmet Büyükekşi's presidency.

'IT IS NECESSARY TO GET RID OF THE MENTALITY THAT VIEWS FOOTBALL AS A COMMERCIAL AREA'

The TFF, which should have an independent and impartial structure, has been turned into the backyard of the AKP, especially in recent years. Holding bosses with no football background and no understanding of football have been made TFF presidents simply because of their closeness to the AKP and their vested interests with certain individuals.

The unwanted incidents in football matches, especially in the Süper Lig, the controversial decisions taken by the TFF in the face of these incidents, and finally the scandalous events at the Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia have revealed the failed management of the TFF administration.

Despite all this failed management approach, the government's insistence on failure and its backing of the unsuccessful TFF president raises the question in everyone's mind: 'What kind of relationship is there between them?'

In order to prevent the repetition of seasons where clubs do not trust the TFF management and referees; where fans enter the pitch and attack players, club presidents punch referees, and teams rebel and withdraw from the pitch, and events that do not befit Turkish football, the political government must withdraw its hand from Turkish football and the TFF, the TFF elections must not be interfered with, no pressure should be placed on clubs and club presidents, and the autonomous structure of the TFF must be respected. Otherwise, Turkish football will continue to regress. Most importantly, it is necessary to get rid of the management mentality that drags our clubs into a debt trap day by day, fails to raise the brand value of Turkish football to the level it deserves, and views football only as a commercial area as soon as possible.”

PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY REQUEST

Karakoz requested the opening of a parliamentary inquiry to investigate all the allegations discussed in the public eye during the TFF presidential election process, to uncover the structures that harm Turkish football, and to take the necessary steps to ensure that Turkish football is managed by independent, impartial, reliable, and transparent individuals.

News Source: 12punto