06.05.2026 17:01
Aziz Yıldırım announced his candidacy for the presidency at Fenerbahçe Club's extraordinary elective general assembly. Yıldırım said, 'I am a candidate for the Presidency of Fenerbahçe Sports Club for the epic 120th year where we will show that the Fenerbahçe community is united and together. I propose that all candidates who are considering running, especially Mr. Barış Göktürk and Mr. Hakan Safi, join me.'
Former president Aziz Yıldırım officially announced his candidacy for the Fenerbahçe presidency. Previously, Hakan Safi and Barış Göktürk had also announced their candidacies. If no other candidates emerge, three candidates will compete in the extraordinary congress to be held on June 6-7.
HE CALLED FOR UNITY Aziz Yıldırım, who both announced his candidacy and called for unity, said in a written statement, "As always, I have a moral responsibility towards the Fenerbahçe supporters who have been my comrades in difficult times. Because I am concerned about the future of my beloved Fenerbahçe, I have heeded your call and wish to say the following by making a call to the presidential candidates who have emerged so far and those who may emerge afterwards: I am a candidate for the Presidency of Fenerbahçe Sports Club for the epic 120th year, where we will show that the Fenerbahçe community is united and together. I offer all candidates, especially Mr. Barış Göktürk and Mr. Hakan Safi, to be with me. The Fenerbahçe community can only emerge from this chaotic environment by strengthening unity and solidarity. If experience and youth act together in Fenerbahçe, no one can stand in Fenerbahçe's way. Let us unite, be together, and carry our Fenerbahçe to a beautiful future together."
Yıldırım, who stated that he dedicated a significant part of his life to Fenerbahçe, said, "During the period when I served with my friends, we implemented important reforms at Fenerbahçe Sports Club. With the facilities we built and the companies we established, we managed to support sustainable sporting success with a strong financial structure in the period before July 3. In 2024, heeding your call, I became a candidate for the Fenerbahçe presidency in order to manage Fenerbahçe better at that time. In 2025, I tried to pave the way for new names with the slogan 'The youth should take over the reins'. In these days when the election is on Fenerbahçe's agenda and the longing for the championship is in the hearts of Fenerbahçe supporters, we are passing through a critical threshold both economically and sportingly."
WHAT DID HE SAY BEFORE? In his previous statement regarding the election, Aziz Yıldırım said, "Let everything become clear. Let's see who is a candidate and who is not. Let everything settle, and I will make a statement. I don't necessarily have a desire to be president, but if we can contribute to Fenerbahçe and if a formation that can prevent the children from crying together takes place, then we will consider it. I have not met with anyone; it is said in the public that I have met with some names who will be presidential candidates, but I have not met with anyone. I will make a new statement in the coming days."
MEHMET ALİ AYDINLAR DID NOT BECOME A CANDIDATE Meanwhile, former Fenerbahçe executive Mehmet Ali Aydınlar announced that he would not be a presidential candidate in the yellow-navy club's elective extraordinary general assembly. In his statement, Aydınlar said, "In order not to overshadow Fenerbahçe's future with discussions that may arise over my person, I will not be a candidate in the upcoming elective extraordinary general assembly."
WHO ARE THE CURRENT CANDIDATES? So far, the names who have declared their presidential candidacy ahead of the extraordinary elective general assembly to be held on June 6-7 at Fenerbahçe are former executives Barış Göktürk, Hakan Safi, and Aziz Yıldırım.