The Ali Koç-Aziz Yıldırım feud from A to Z: What has happened since 2018?

NEWS DESK - 12punto.com.tr

In Fenerbahçe, which finished the 2023-2024 Super Lig season in second place with 99 points, all eyes are on the ordinary elective congress to be held on June 8-9.

Current president Ali Koç and former president Aziz Yıldırım will compete in the critical election.

Aziz Yıldırım, who announced his candidacy for the presidency before the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe derby, said he would bring world-famous manager Jose Mourinho to lead the team.

Shortly after Yıldırım's announcement, Ali Koç and Fenerbahçe Sporting Director Mario Branco had Jose Mourinho sign an official contract.

While harsh winds have been blowing between the two since the 2018 election, the Mourinho controversy has now been added to the mix.

So, how did the feud between the two begin and grow so much since 2018? Here is the panorama of the feud between Aziz Yıldırım and Ali Koç from the past to the present...

THE 2017-2018 SEASON UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE CONGRESS

In the 2017-2018 season, while Fenerbahçe, managed by Aykut Kocaman, finished the Super Lig in second place, the championship drought of Fenerbahçe under the administration of then-president Aziz Yıldırım reached 4 years.

Aziz Yıldırım faced off in the 2018 congress against Ali Koç, whom he had previously pointed to for the presidential seat.

'FETÖ PROJECT' ALLEGATIONS

During the run-up to that congress, allegations emerged that Aziz Yıldırım had called Ali Koç a "FETÖ project."

Selim Soydan: Aziz Yıldırım told me that Ali Koç is a FETÖ project. pic.twitter.com/CHfoAKhElo

— Averaj (@averajdigital) October 31, 2023

Ali Koç had said the following regarding the FETÖ allegations during a program he attended on CNN Türk:

"I never wanted to get into the FETÖ issue, but I had to in Bodrum. 101 real persons wrote to BİMER that I was a FETÖ member and that I managed July 3, 2011. I didn't dwell on it because it was nonsense. Then some people came to me and said our president was making such comments behind closed doors, and I started to take it seriously. Our president should have come out and protected me by saying 'Ali is our Ali! Ali stood tall on July 3,' but he didn't. I am hurt by you. You cannot accuse me and my family by labeling us as members of a terrorist organization."

AZIZ YILDIRIM DENIED IT, KOÇ BROUGHT IT UP AT THE CONGRESS

Although Aziz Yıldırım denied the allegations in an interview with Zafer Büyükavcı from Fanatik, saying, "I do not accuse anyone of being a FETÖ member. I would need information and documents for that. I didn't say such a thing, and I wouldn't. In my opinion, he is not a FETÖ member anyway. Mr. Ali should apply to the relevant authorities if there are those who complain. If there is anything I can do, I will help," Ali Koç brought this allegation to the agenda at the congress.

Ali Koç, who took the podium to make his speech in a very tense atmosphere, said:

“Mr. Selim Soydan came to me. You told him 'what kind of FETÖ project I am.' He told me this. You usually get angry at such truths.”

THE ALİ KOÇ ERA BEGAN AT FENERBAHÇE

Ali Koç won the congress on June 4, 2018, by a landslide. While Koç received 16,092 votes, 20-year president Aziz Yıldırım remained at 4,644 votes.

Ali Koç, who was elected president of Fenerbahçe with high hopes, could not end the Yellow-Navy community's championship drought. In fact, Fenerbahçe under Koç's management finished the first half of the 2018-2019 season in the relegation zone.

Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç has been blaming former president Aziz Yıldırım since his first day in office, stating that he inherited a financial wreck.

AZIZ YILDIRIM APPEARED ON THE STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME

While the poor performance of the Fenerbahçe football team continued, Aziz Yıldırım broke his years of silence on June 24, 2021.

Yıldırım, who criticized Ali Koç and his administration, made statements that would dominate the agenda.

HE COMPLAINED ABOUT FENERBAHÇE TO THE CAPITAL MARKETS BOARD (SPK)

Increasing the pressure, Yıldırım announced that he would file a complaint with the SPK, alleging irregularities in the transfer of İrfan Can Kahveci, whom Fenerbahçe added to its squad from Başakşehir.

HE REMINDED OF THE "I HAVE AN EYEBROW ABOVE MY EYE" STATEMENT

The highlights from Aziz Yıldırım's 2021 speech were as follows:

“Aziz Yıldırım and his friends have possessed Ali Koç. Do not see us as rivals. We are a member of Fenerbahçe.

There is only one condition to see us as rivals. You will be president for 20 years. You will win championships. You will build a stadium. You will build facilities. You will not say 'I have an eyebrow above my eye.' You will go to jail.

They say Aziz Yıldırım will see. No one can show me anything. Not every night has a morning. I am Fenerbahçe itself. I gave 30 years to this club. You are afraid. You are immoral.

I am on the stage from now on. He calls us liars. I have never consciously lied in my life. I will not forgive you. I will send you away with these spectators, know this.”

The most striking topic in Yıldırım's speech was undoubtedly the July 3 process.

Aziz Yıldırım went to prison during FETÖ's match-fixing conspiracy on July 3, 2011. Koç was the vice president of Fenerbahçe at that time.

Speaking on a television program while Yıldırım was in prison, Koç had said, “My father (Rahmi Koç) said that abandoning the ship would not suit us, but he wanted me to leave the board after my term ended. My personal passion should not harm my family. I was scared after this process. I also have an eyebrow above my eye,” he had stated.

(After this statement, Koç did not take part in Aziz Yıldırım's list at the 2012 Fenerbahçe congress, citing family reasons.)

Although Ali Koç invited Yıldırım to appear on television and debate, Yıldırım did not pay attention to this call.

YILDIRIM'S CALL FOR AN EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS

Two years after the 2021 feud, Aziz Yıldırım was on the stage again.

Stating that the Fenerbahçe administration has been weak for 5 years, Yıldırım called for an extraordinary congress in his statement on June 23, 2023, so that Ali Koç could receive a vote of confidence.

"FENERBAHÇE WILL NOT BE LEFT WITHOUT A PRESIDENT"

Reacting to Koç's statement, 'If a candidate emerges, we will go to the general assembly,' Yıldırım said:

“Fenerbahçe will never be left without a president, it cannot be. There are 50 thousand congress members, but although I don't know the exact number, 15 thousand people are members who meet the conditions for presidency. You cannot be threatened by saying, 'No one else will be there, if a candidate emerges, I will hold a congress.' This community is so great that it shows its greatness when you least expect it. Now I say from here, 'Mr. Ali, either hold a congress or close this issue.' Get rid of your gestures of 'let a candidate emerge and we will hold a congress.'

By doing this, you are belittling both yourself and Fenerbahçe. If you continue like this, a candidate will emerge. If no one becomes a candidate, I am a candidate. Let this be known as such. Do not force the community. Everyone should know their place. You have 1 more year. What is essential for us is Fenerbahçe. We prevent events that will harm it. Let me also say this, if FETÖ members, cultists, or people who have gained profit from Fenerbahçe in the past become candidates, I will come and be there and become a candidate. They cannot enter this club. At the point we have reached today, the main reason for our troubles is FETÖ's conspiracies.”

THE PROCESS THAT BEGAN WITH AZIZ YILDIRIM ANNOUNCING HIS CANDIDACY

While the Ali Koç-Aziz Yıldırım feud within Fenerbahçe continued at intervals, Aziz Yıldırım decided to run for president on May 13, 2024.

Yıldırım, who announced his candidacy at a press conference, had Ali Koç in his sights again.

Reacting to Koç's statement, 'They will not let Fenerbahçe be champion while I am here,' Yıldırım said:

“I am coming based on a statement; the words 'They will not let Fenerbahçe be champion while I am here.' The last thing Fenerbahçe should lose is the hope of winning. When this is lost, there will be no turning back. We are at the last stop to return to the bright days.”

SECOND ACT IN FETÖ ALLEGATIONS

Current president Ali Koç, who accelerated his election campaign after Aziz Yıldırım announced his candidacy, made a FETÖ insinuation about Yıldırım in a speech he gave in Ankara.

Upon a congress member's statement, "Do those who support Aziz Yıldırım want the continuation of the system?" Koç made a striking statement about the former president Yıldırım:

"I didn't say such a thing. I didn't say it to continue the system. I said the hostility towards us is about the struggle we made with the system and the values we defend. But let me say this too. I am trying to choose my words carefully. President Aziz also has more contradictory statements about the organization leader after 2013. My line is the same, it might be wrong, it might be right, my line is the same. I don't go back and forth like this. We have a line. President Aziz is someone who attaches great importance to republican values. We also went through his lathe. Fenerbahçe's DNA also has a stance on these issues. Unfortunately, over time, this stance of ours was dragged into politics. Because republican values have become a material for political debate. Not for us. We are not doing politics or anything.”

"Aziz Yıldırım, who called me a 'FETÖ project'" using the phrase, Koç said, "That's why when the president of the rival team calls me a 'project,' I don't respond. He will turn around and say 'your president said it, brother.'"

I still cannot digest Ali Koç making a FETÖ insinuation against Aziz Yıldırım, who spent 1 year in prison for this club, paid the price, and dedicated his life to Fenerbahçe. If anyone can digest it, bon appétit! pic.twitter.com/Muii00em0f

— Yeskontext Vekili Aziz Yıldırım (@effect_fener) May 29, 2024

AZIZ YILDIRIM RESPONSE FROM RASİM OZAN KÜTAHYALI TO ALİ KOÇ

Ali Koç's words targeting Aziz Yıldırım dominated the agenda. Some Fenerbahçe fan accounts shared the Aziz Yıldırım debate Koç had with Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı in 2022, reacting, "Ali Koç made the statement today that he reacted to Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı in 2022."

Rasim Ozan Kütahyalı, quoting the post in question, had said, "Well, two years later you came to what I said, Ali Koç..."

MOURINHO CONTROVERSY

In addition to the FETÖ feud, there were also wars of election promises between the two presidential candidates.

Yıldırım, who promised a championship to the Fenerbahçe community, promised to bring Jose Mourinho for the managerial position while the season was not yet over and İsmail Kartal was at the head of the team.

While Yıldırım's Mourinho promise created excitement in the Yellow-Navy community, all eyes turned to Ali Koç. Ways were parted with İsmail Kartal, who finished the season in second place with 99 points in Fenerbahçe. Shortly after, Ali Koç and Fenerbahçe Sporting Director Mario Branco had Jose Mourinho sign an official contract.

Continuing his election campaign, Aziz Yıldırım stated that Mourinho received approval from him, saying, "The administration seems to have agreed with Mourinho, that side asked me, I said 'sign.' If we win, we will work together, no problem," he explained.

KOÇ TO YILDIRIM: 'THROW A LIE...'

Ali Koç responded to this statement by Yıldırım with the words, "No, if that hadn't happened, this wouldn't have happened, he couldn't have come to Turkey. There is a saying 'throw a lie' the rest, anyway..."

Mourinho response from Ali Koç to Aziz Yıldırım that will be talked about a lot!https://t.co/iWvqMZyGkD pic.twitter.com/wL5IBzNBQx

— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) June 3, 2024

While the bickering between the two candidates continued, all eyes turned to what Mourinho would say at the signing ceremony.

MOURINHO DENIED YILDIRIM

The world-famous manager said that he did not receive approval from Aziz Yıldırım to sign during his transfer process to Fenerbahçe. Fenerbahçe Sporting Director Mario Branco said that the first person to meet with Mourinho was not Aziz Yıldırım, but himself.

THIS TIME ACUN ILICALI IS IN YILDIRIM'S TARGET

After these developments, Aziz Yıldırım targeted Acun Ilıcalı, who played an important role in the Mourinho transfer and is on Ali Koç's new management list.

Yıldırım claimed that Acun Ilıcalı was an Adnan Oktar follower and that he gave passports to FETÖ members in the Dominican Republic.

FETÖ and Adnan Oktar accusations from Aziz Yıldırım to Acun Ilıcalı. 'He was giving passports to FETÖ members'https://t.co/Wofr0yO86l pic.twitter.com/UhMUm3Zi6M

— 12punto (@12puntocomtr) June 3, 2024

HARSH RESPONSE FROM ACUN ILICALI TO YILDIRIM

Ilıcalı responded to Yıldırım's allegations with these words:

"Very sad! Aziz Yıldırım may really want the presidency of Fenerbahçe. He left the election in defeat, they might be experiencing something inside. However, it is sad for me to smear a Fenerbahçe fan to become president. This is Fenerbahçe's problem, these internal fights. Since the accusation is very ugly, I have to respond. If he tries to reach a point from a topic 35 years ago, this is malicious. I explained that we met 35 years ago.

The Jose Mourinho incident of Aziz Yıldırım is a complete lie! They couldn't meet for three days, they couldn't establish contact! Mourinho changed his phone after meeting with us! They couldn't reach him! There is no agreement! They met in London, and Mourinho also looked at Ali Koç and the projects... The man accepted.

During the Aziz Yıldırım era, the club suffered a loss of €600 Million! Aziz Yıldırım has no receivables! Take your money and go, sink €600 Million, then come and be president again! And on top of that, he is constantly posturing! Those times have passed, people don't want to see such a person. He calls this one a FETÖ member, that one an Adnan follower... If you can do these and become a candidate for presidency, you will answer these! I wish he would sit here and answer for the €600 Million! Aziz Yıldırım cannot enter such a debate! He cannot talk! Let him come out to debate with Ali Koç on live broadcast, I will say I don't know anything!"

FROM YILDIRIM TO ACUN ILICALI: 'RETARDED...'

Aziz Yıldırım's response to Acun Ilıcalı's statements was not delayed.

Yıldırım, when reminded of what Acun Ilıcalı said about him, spoke as follows:

"Acun is itching. Let him not itch. He came out on a television program tonight and is talking about me. I met with Mourinho in London. He knows wrong, I met in Rome, not London. Retarded Acun. In 2016 or 2017, our basketball team had become champion by beating Beşiktaş. Acun was also at that championship celebration. There are two Dominicans. They said that he was giving passports and residence permits to FETÖ members in this Dominican. I talked to him and said don't do it. He said I'm not doing it, I'm not doing it, but he was doing it. We learned later. Also, let them follow the private planes that take off to there, I'm not saying anything else. He says he only went to Adnan Oktar for 1 year, but he went for 9 years. I read the 3,500-page indictment written about him.”

Aziz Yıldırım "Acun is itching. Let him not itch. He came out on a television program tonight and is talking about me. I met with Mourinho in London. He knows wrong, I met in Rome, not London'' pic.twitter.com/pvcxtI5Zjj

— İHA Spor (@iha_spor) June 4, 2024

ALL EYES TURNED TO ALİ KOÇ

There has not yet been a statement from Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç regarding the allegations Aziz Yıldırım made about Acun Ilıcalı.

THE NEVER-ENDING FEUD IN FENERBAHÇE

The Fenerbahçe community, whose championship drought has reached 10 years, is witnessing a new chaos and controversy every day while waiting for the feud between Ali Koç and Aziz Yıldırım to subside.

What will happen at the congress on June 8-9, with only days left, is already a matter of curiosity...

News Source: 12punto