Statement from Hakan Safi regarding Kerem Aktürkoğlu's salary

Former Fenerbahçe executive Hakan Safi attended the Turkuvaz Media Sports Summit. Following the event, Hakan Safi made statements to members of the press.

Speaking about the allegations that payments were not made following a change in management regarding the transfer of Fenerbahçe player Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Safi said, "I don't follow social media very much. My friends told me about it. Honestly, I was surprised, but when they told me who said it, I wasn't surprised. We had a dream, we set a goal. I wanted to transfer a player whose life story resembles mine. If you ask why Kerem, he is a young player who came up from Anatolia. He is talented. He was a very important person in terms of showing what he could do when given the opportunity. We gave him that opportunity again. Kerem came to Fenerbahçe.

Honestly, I was never given this many opportunities in my life. We came from harder paths. We took a step in Kerem's life journey. We transferred Kerem here. I said my word is more valuable than money. We did not bring him in during the election process as an election investment. I didn't bring him in, honestly. President Ali told me; 'If you want, let's write a clause in his contract. If we don't win the election, you can stop paying Kerem's money if you want.' I said; 'No. I have given my word to the community, to you, to the management, and to Kerem. Whether we win or not, I will continue to pay this money. My word is more valuable than money.' Kerem continues to receive his money from our company through a private image rights contract.

They are trying to gain leverage through me. We need to concentrate on the pitch now. There is only one Fenerbahçe. Let's focus on our rivals. Just like last year, our opportunity has come this year as well. Kerem continues to support and contribute to his team. You will see, he will do even better things. We will celebrate Fenerbahçe's championship. Let's close these topics. I don't want to be on the agenda regarding Kerem anymore. They are using our names in a meaningless way. Simultaneously with Fenerbahçe, they continue to pay for other players, and I continue to pay for Kerem. This situation will continue this way. No one should believe the news appearing in the press about this," he said.

"IT IS GRATIFYING FOR US THAT THERE ARE NO FOOTBALLERS FROM FENERBAHÇE"

Evaluating the betting investigation involving some referees, players, and club officials who work in football matches, Safi said, "I would also like to thank Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu here. For his courage and for pursuing this matter. They have meetings today as well, and it will continue. It is gratifying for us that there are no footballers from Fenerbahçe.

I leave it to the discretion of the sports public to decide who from other clubs has been named and how many people there are. We are also businessmen, we are sponsors. We do not want to be involved in dirty football. Therefore, whoever among us is doing these things needs to be cleaned out.

Businessmen and business people who are passionate about sports like us need to continue their sponsorships where there is clean football. Otherwise, I, or anyone else, would not be in a dirty game. It needs to go as far as it can go," he said.

News Source: İHA