Match ends, statements follow: 'Betting' controversy between Galatasaray and Kocaelispor

Galatasaray Second President Metin Öztürk issued a statement on his social media account regarding the remarks made by Kocaelispor President Recep Durul and the events that took place at the stadium following the 1-0 away loss to Kocaelispor in the 12th week of the Trendyol Super League.

HARSH REACTION FROM METİN ÖZTÜRK

Emphasizing that protecting the brand value of Turkish football, strengthening the spirit of fair play, and respecting the efforts of everyone competing on the pitch is a shared responsibility, Öztürk stated, “However, the ugly statements made by the Kocaelispor President following the match played in Kocaeli today are extremely far from this sense of responsibility, inappropriate, and provocative. To insolently exploit a subject that wounds all of Turkish football, such as a betting scandal, is, to put it mildly, shameless. Such statements do not feed the language of sportsmanship, but rather the language of hatred. Even more gravely, the music played in the stadium after the match and the abusive chants directed at the fans clearly show that the Kocaelispor management is facilitating this lack of class. I condemn this attitude and invite the Turkish Football Federation and relevant institutions to take action. Galatasaray is a community that has won with its labor and sweat throughout its 120-year history. It cannot be stained by anyone's dirty language, implications, or slander.”

ABDULLAH KAVUKÇU CALLS IT 'INSOLENCE'

Galatasaray Deputy Chairman Abdullah Kavukçu also commented, saying, “I cannot believe such a statement. We are a clean club. A person who mentions Galatasaray should stop and look at themselves first. He has spoken like this to cameras before, seeing the screens to become famous. I completely separate the Kocaeli community from this, but the president has committed a great act of insolence.”

NEW STATEMENT FROM RECEP DURUL

Following the reactions from the Galatasaray side, Kocaelispor President Recep Durul used the following expressions:

“I did not name a team. I did not talk about just one team. I am saying that it pushed other teams. I am not saying another team. I am speaking in the plural. Or it caused other teams to be relegated. I can add that too. I did not speak directed at one team. I said that Turkish football should be managed fairly and transparently.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

Speaking after the match, Kocaelispor President Recep Durul had made headlines with his words: “After the betting scandal, things needed to get back on track. There will be no taking sides. Today, we cleaned that up. There was justice in yesterday's and today's matches. It means injustice took Turkish football to other places. It pushed other teams, it brought other teams to certain places. There is no such thing as an unbeatable team.”

News Source: 12punto