Galatasaray presidential candidate Süheyl Batum: 'We will lose more than 500 million dollars'

The breakfast, held at the club's facilities in Kalamış, was attended by Süheyl Batum and members of his management slate, as well as congress members and guests of the yellow-red club.

Stating that they set out for the independence and future of Galatasaray, Süheyl Batum said, "When we set out on this path, they asked, 'Why didn't you set out when we were in 13th place?' This shows how correct our purpose is. It is not easy to oppose the management of a team that has been champion for 2 years. We decided to set out knowing this.

We set out to protect the future, hopes, and freedom of Galatasaray's younger generations. We made this decision at the financial general assembly on April 27. Mr. Dursun Özbek had said he wanted to sell Riva. Our friends did not dwell on it much. He had said we have to move Mecidiyeköy as well. Fenerbahçe's stadium is in the heart of Kadıköy. Beşiktaş built its stadium on top of Dolmabahçe. Our stadium is in Seyrantepe. Everyone told us, 'The state gave you a stadium.' We go to that stadium under very difficult conditions."

Stating that Florya was sold in 2017, Batum said, "Florya, along with Riva, was transferred to Emlak Konut. Then the management changed, and the contract was canceled because we did not vacate the place. In 2019, Mustafa Cengiz separated the two and won Florya back for us. Our president acquired an additional 62 decares there. We gave authorization in 2022. The conditions under which the Florya land could be transferred, provided that construction is carried out, were clearly written. The president had said they would exit the Banks Association with a good advance payment. He said this when there was 1 month left. If Florya is not sold within the framework of the authority given by the general assembly, we will lose more than 500 million dollars alone. I will not let that place be sold, considering the 500 million dollar loss."

Stating that there are people from every political party in Galatasaray, Batum said, "We are a democratic institution. Galatasaray presidents should not say, 'It would be very good if he becomes president' for a politician under the Galatasaray flag. This does not exist in Galatasaray's democracy. A Galatasaray member can only take a stance in favor of one person, and that is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk."

Stating that other communities will not be able to easily touch Galatasaray when they take office, Batum said, "We wait every match to see what the VAR referee will do against us. We have become the easiest community in the world to touch. Anyone who is bored says things like 'The well-known community,' 'Children of FETÖ,' or 'I won't let my cheek be stroked.'

Abusive chants are made against our founding president Ali Sami Yen, and the opposing team's president applauds. An observer joins in the chants while they are being made against Galatasaray. Erden Timur is being threatened. There is not a peep from the club. This community must do what is necessary for the TFF's status to be changed. Where Galatasaray is not present, things are left to money, the mafia, or politics."

Following Süheyl Batum's speech, Rezan Epözdemir, who is on the management slate, gave a presentation regarding their projects.

News Source: AA