Explosive remarks from Ali Koç! 'If there is betting and match-fixing, there is also a referee'

Clubs Association Foundation and Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç made statements following the Clubs Association Meeting.

Here are Ali Koç's statements...

'It was a meeting with high attendance. Everyone attended except for 2 of our clubs. On our agenda was the tender for the e-ticket system. Our clubs are uncomfortable with this system. We discussed holding the tender as soon as possible. There was a 7 percent deduction from ticket revenues by our Ministry. There was work being done on this. We looked at what could be done regarding the distribution of broadcasting revenues to make it more modern and in line with the system in Europe. It needed to be updated. We are working on 3-4 models from leagues abroad. We will determine how the broadcasting revenues for the next season will be distributed around March or April. There will be a different revenue distribution system. There is no progress regarding the broadcasting tender. There were some applications. We looked at those as well.

Galatasaray had a Champions League match. We saw where they came from after fighting well in 1 year last year. Galatasaray fought tremendously. There are 2 matches tonight. I hope we can collect points. What suits Turkey is for the champion to go directly to the Champions League and for the runner-up to play in the Champions League qualifiers. This is what suits us.

Mr. Ahmet Nur Çebi came to say goodbye. A president whom we all love and respect, and whom we could not hold a grudge against even when we disagreed, has bid farewell. May his decision be auspicious.

''I WILL MAKE A STATEMENT IF I DEEM IT NECESSARY''

The TFF has made a statement. I could not look at it in detail. Our meeting was intense. If there is anything, most of it is about my statements. If I deem it necessary, I will make a statement tomorrow. In the messages I received, it is said that things are being swept under the rug. Other than that, I do not want to say anything.

''MATCH-FIXING IS A MAJOR PROBLEM''

All clubs showed a strong will. This pollution, these question marks, match-fixing and betting—when there is match-fixing and betting, it does not happen without a referee. A will was also shown regarding referees and artificial intelligence. One of the decisions taken was our discomfort regarding the issue, that necessary steps must be taken, that the TFF, as our superior, has not shown sufficient will, that the necessary steps have not been taken to end the chaos, that much more could be done, and that the TFF is the authority to do this. As the Clubs Association, our discomfort was conveyed to our Ministry of Interior. Some things regarding this issue are beyond the TFF and the Clubs. If we want Clean Football, this is one of the important parts of the cleanup. We see that Mr. Ali Yerlikaya is a stroke of luck for our country and our football, that he gives us hope, and that he has taken action in a short time. There is a long way to go to get to the bottom of it. Match-fixing is a major problem. We see that this issue has spread more widely with the entry of crypto into our lives. Because they do not need to enter the banking system.

Murat Sancak has been in the Clubs Association for 2 years. He is extremely uncomfortable with the accusations made against him. He is one of our presidents who most frequently voices that betting and match-fixing are extremely major problems for Turkish football. The reflexes he has displayed also show this. I feel the need to remind you that he is one of the most vocal presidents. We are in such a country that you have to prove the truth.

''BETTING AND MATCH-FIXING DO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT A REFEREE''

If there is betting and match-fixing, there is a referee. It does not happen without a referee. As Fenerbahçe, we have started to investigate. Here, too, the serious discomforts of some of our presidents and some issues regarding clubs moving from lower leagues to upper leagues were brought to the agenda. What makes me and all of us the happiest and most hopeful is the decision to act together on a common ground. Everyone at the table is in consensus; MHKs (Central Referee Boards) and federations change, but the referees do not. We are the ones experiencing the trouble. There should be nothing that we cannot solve by putting our will into it. Especially on these issues. We find this consensus valuable for the history of Turkish football. In particular, there is a need for the 4 big clubs to be on the same page to get to the bottom of this problem. We also conveyed that we would show this will. I am putting the issues of betting, match-fixing, and referees in one place here. May God give strength and power to our security forces, our members of the judiciary, and our Ministry of Interior so that these problems can be solved.

In the US, harassment in the workplace happened for years. One person spoke up, and it was solved one by one. What happened over the years was told. Here, too, the TFF needs to understand well and read between the lines. We cannot get anywhere with penalties and referrals for this or that. Neither can you make us behave, nor can we have faith in you. We must trust our superior to the end. There are very valuable executives in the TFF. Some are from within football, some are valuable names from their own sectors. There is a valuable staff. However, our concern as the Clubs Association is that the management is not being utilized. Things are revolving within a very small circle, a system where the voices of consultants are heard. It can happen, we all use consultants. The president may have said there are deep-rooted problems and may have wanted to see a different perspective, but time is passing and it did not happen. Your consultants may be inadequate. The TFF president holds a press conference, and the hall is empty. That image should not be given. We have no problem with using consultants, but the results of a management where executives are not involved within a small circle are not good.'

''THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE''

There are problems in the functioning of artificial intelligence. Problems in appointments have increased even more. Because artificial intelligence is being manipulated. There are 40-50 items in artificial intelligence. One of them is that a referee has the right to say I do not want to officiate this team or that team. They can enter this into the system. They entered data for one referee, saying 'I do not want to officiate the match of these two teams.' We investigated, but that referee did not request that data. Someone entered it. The system has been manipulated. I am one of the people most warm to artificial intelligence, but there is hesitation about this system in the entire Clubs Association. There is hesitation in the TFF as well, as it is said that a new system will come.

We do not know what the new MHK model is. It would not be right to comment. We want the new model to be implemented immediately. The current referee appointment system has not been efficient at all. It did not solve the problems; it deepened them. Therefore, it is useful to know how the transition to the new system will be and what the new system is. Whether the current MHK is sufficient to transition to the new system, whether it has the motive to prevent or take this necessary step... We do not want anyone involved in this disorder to be in the new system. We do not want anyone who has been in this system in the past and has even the slightest question mark about them to be in the new system. Some people should not be involved in this business. We will provide all kinds of support to the TFF.

''TFF DOES NOT SHOW COURAGE''

Referees need to change. This is clear. The prevailing opinion is that the current MHK order prevents the transition to the new system.

If clean football and fair football are to be our lot, we must also be worthy of it. We must process all incoming information and intelligence correctly and use it on the path to clean football. We need a value-oriented system, not a situation-oriented one. The current system in football is situation-oriented. No matter what happens, the most negative opinions, insults, and criticisms are directed at the TFF board... Why doesn't the TFF board actively get to the bottom of the issue? A letter was left, call the person who wrote it and ask what they said. Why did MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu say 'There are referees who should not stay for even 1 minute'? Call and ask why he said this. The TFF does not show the necessary courage to get to the bottom of the problems. Sometimes it takes sweat, sometimes brainpower, and sometimes courage. We cannot see these. I am sorry. It is possible to get to the bottom of the problems. Our general opinion is in this direction.

This cannot go on like this. We are ready to support the TFF to solve the problems. We have hesitations about transitioning to the new system with the current people. TFF executives should be more active. The consultants used are not sufficient. We will apply to the TFF and the Ministry of Interior regarding betting, match-fixing, and referees, which pollute our football the most.

''ARE WE WRONG TO LOSE TRUST!''

I watched some matches. I could not believe my eyes. Something happened on Monday too. No one can say that what was done in the Beşiktaş-Antalyaspor match was not a penalty. No one can say that what was done to Ferdi was not a penalty. What kind of courage is this! What kind of recklessness is this! In the Konyaspor-Karagümrük match, I think it was in the 96th minute, it is unbelievable. Then a penalty was not given. Things are happening that... Everyone is suffering. Everyone is uncomfortable. There is one institution that is not uncomfortable: the referees and the MHK. What kind of artificial intelligence is it that the same referees are appointed in Adana Demirspor-Beşiktaş matches? It is the same in our Fenerbahçe-Trabzonspor matches. Are we wrong to lose trust! All clubs are at the same point. No one can easily stand against the Clubs.

When referees make mistakes, there is no price to pay. Both in the lower leagues and in the upper leagues... Referees have never paid a price to date. No one can sue the TFF either. This also provides a comfort. You do not raise the brand value of Turkish football by punishing clubs, presidents, and coaches, but by solving the problems.'

News Source: 12punto