Criticism for Ali Koç from Ahmet Hakan: 'Being the Fenerbahçe President carries weight'

During the Göztepe vs. Fenerbahçe match played in the 2nd week of the Süper Lig, Ali Koç, President of the Clubs Association and Fenerbahçe Sports Club, went to the sidelines and headed toward the stands where the Yellow-Navy fans were located, citing the fact that fans were not being allowed into the stadium.

At that moment, foreign objects were thrown onto the pitch from the Göztepe stands. Fatih Özkan, who had accreditation, attacked Ali Koç.

Ahmet Hakan, Editor-in-Chief of Hürriyet, known for his proximity to the government, addressed the events in his column.

Stating, "Being the Fenerbahçe President carries weight. Instead of throwing himself into the fray physically, Ali Koç should use that weight," Hakan leveled criticisms at Ali Koç.

"Ali Koç wants to protect the rights and legal standing of his fans. He has such an attitude. This is an attitude worthy of praise. There is no doubt. But is this how this job is done?" asked Ahmet Hakan, who criticized him by saying, "Being the Fenerbahçe President carries weight. Instead of throwing himself into the fray physically, Ali Koç should use that weight. Is it appropriate to walk across the pitch during a match?" and continued as follows:

"I simply cannot understand why Ali Koç, while trying to solve problems, always tends to do what should be done last, first. Isn't it also obvious what a relentless danger this method of problem-solving creates?"

The relevant section from Ahmet Hakan's article titled 'An impartial, well-intentioned, friendly criticism of Ali Koç' is as follows:

"Ali Koç's effort not to leave the Fenerbahçe fans feeling abandoned is truly worthy of all kinds of praise.

Ali Koç wants to protect the rights and legal standing of his fans. He has such an attitude.

This is an attitude worthy of praise. There is no doubt.

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But is this how this job is done?

Is this how the rights of fans are protected?

Is this how you stand by the fans?

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Being the Fenerbahçe President carries weight.

Instead of throwing himself into the fray physically, Ali Koç should use that weight.

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Is it appropriate to walk across the pitch during a match?

Was he told, "Please, walk along the edge of the pitch"? I don't know. But even if he was told that, shouldn't Ali Koç have refused by saying, "This is not appropriate"?

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Pepper spray was being used on the fans, and Ali Koç was going to intervene.

How was he going to intervene? By saying, "Move aside, I've arrived"? By shielding the fans from the pepper spray with his own chest? By fighting with the police who were spraying pepper spray at the fans?

I simply cannot understand why Ali Koç, while trying to solve problems, always tends to do what should be done last, first.

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Isn't it also obvious what a relentless danger this method of problem-solving creates?

Look here:

Some thug, a football terrorist, officially attacked Ali Koç. He pushed him from behind, knocked him down. Bottles were thrown from the stands at Ali Koç while he was on the ground.

God forbid, what if that thug who pushed Ali Koç had a sharp or pointed object in his hand?

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The real show of strength Ali Koç can perform for the Fenerbahçe fans is to use the power and weight that comes from being the Fenerbahçe President, not his own physical strength.

A football club president cannot solve problems with the "move aside, I've arrived" method. A football club president solves problems by using the weight of his office.

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My advice to Ali Koç is this:

He should try using the weight of being the Fenerbahçe President. He should not lighten that weight. He should not forget that indirect intervention is much more effective than direct intervention.

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As for the thug issue:

That man is a football terrorist. There is no need to even say this.

It is also impossible to see the court's decision to give that man house arrest as sufficient. Violence in football cannot be prevented with such a sentence. No one can say that such a sentence is a deterrent."

News Source: 12punto