Ali Koç: 'A final in Europe would be the icing on the cake'

The European Club Association (ECA) meeting was held in Istanbul, hosted by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Speaking after the meeting, Fenerbahçe Club President Ali Koç evaluated Fenerbahçe's 3-0 away victory against Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise in the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16.

REFEREES ARE A MAJOR FACTOR

Stating after yesterday's match that referees are a major factor in football, Ali Koç said, "You say 'Bravo referee' for both favorable and unfavorable decisions. Why are we lacking in this regard? Technology has arrived, but instead of improving, we are getting worse. The primary element for ensuring fair competition in Turkey today depends on the performance of the referees on the pitch. It depends on the performance of the referees on the pitch and those who train them. Those who appoint them need to make appointments within a fair and equitable framework. If you assign a pitch referee and a VAR referee to an important team in the championship race—a referee who is known to support that team—the result will be like this. I think Turkish football needs to shake itself up. It needs to reposition itself both domestically and internationally. This happens with will, a roadmap, belief, and patience. If you waver by shouting and yelling in every difficult situation, you manage football on a day-to-day basis. It has always been like this from the past to the present. In recent years in Turkey, especially on social media, creating pressure, threats, blackmail, and running things through perception to gain an advantage has become a new method. This exists not only in football but also in politics. It has a great impact on stakeholders. It affects referees, administrators, and boards as well. Will, courage, patience, and a roadmap are very important," he said.

TOO EARLY FOR THE FINAL

Evaluating Fenerbahçe's European goals for this season, Ali Koç said, "Fenerbahçe's goal should first be to maintain 9th place in the country rankings for our country. As I understand it, if we pass this round, it is maintained. Fenerbahçe's goal should be to go as far as it can. But when you are competing on two fronts and playing a match every 3 days, one front can inevitably be affected. I don't know the condition of Çağlar, who was injured yesterday, and I don't know the condition of İsmail, who left on a stretcher. As the only remaining Turkish team in the tournament, we must earn as many points as possible for the country's coefficient. For Fenerbahçe, we must go as far as we can. When you look at the clubs likely to advance, let's say we are one of them; of course, you haven't passed until you pass... There are teams that Fenerbahçe can compete with head-to-head. To see a final in Athens... It is very, very early to talk about a final; you shouldn't roll up your trousers before seeing the stream. A final played by a Turkish team in Athens would be the icing on the cake," he said.

News Source: 12punto