14.04.2026 09:53
Gaziantep FK's Technical Director Burak Yılmaz has resigned. In a press conference, Yılmaz made statements that would change the course of Turkish football, saying, 'Everyone there has become a puppet of Ferhat Gündoğdu and Fuat Göktaş. Let them give me whatever punishment they want. Someone has to tell the truth. They cannot set up an illegal betting plot against me. I am calling out to Fuat Göktaş; he checked my attendance. Afterwards, because I spoke badly to him on the phone, they cut me down in every match. That's it, brother.'
Gaziantep FK's Technical Director Burak Yılmaz announced his resignation at a press conference held after their 2-1 away defeat to Çaykur Rizespor. Criticizing the Central Referee Committee (MHK) and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) harshly, Yılmaz claimed that an attempt was made to set him up with an "illegal betting" scheme.
Congratulating Çaykur Rizespor on their victory, Burak Yılmaz reacted to the match referee Ozan Ergün, saying, "We did everything to win. We couldn't hold back the referee more than Rizespor. I congratulate Rizespor on their victory, but what the referee did on the second goal is a pity, a sin. People's efforts are being stolen. We were definitely the ones close to winning. But today, I want to move past the game and talk to you about something else."
'MY FOREHEAD IS CLEAR, MY HEAD IS HELD HIGH. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO BET, WHERE TO BET FROM'
Continuing his statements with serious allegations against MHK officials, Yılmaz described a process he experienced with these words:
"If there is a courageous digital platform, let them publish the referee mistakes made against Gaziantep FK. The offside goal we conceded in the Trabzonspor match, the penalty not given in the Gençlerbirliği match. Let's look at these. The position in the second goal we conceded today, if you say it's not a foul, that's your opinion, but I think it was 100% a foul. After we took a 1-0 lead, Ozan Ergün did his sweet little chops. He gave a corner for a position that was a goal kick. These are things that happen in football, but I want to say this from here; is the Central Referee Committee Chairman Ferhat Gündoğdu untouchable, brother? What things have come, what things have passed. They play there with Fuat Göktaş as they wish, they bring him down. Let me tell you about the problem I experienced. During the mid-season break, while in camp in Antalya, Fuat Göktaş called me, 'A Burak Yılmaz has placed a bet,' he said. Please listen to me carefully. 'What are you saying, brother?' I said, 'I lived through 2010-2011, this betting issue is my stomach ache,' I said, and hung up the phone. 15 minutes later, Fuat Göktaş called me again, 'I'm sorry, it was the wrong Burak Yılmaz, it was someone in Iğdır, I had it removed,' he said. Please listen to this part carefully, 'I had it removed,' he said. Put yourself in my place. My forehead is clear, my head is held high. I don't know how to bet, where to bet from, as you can appreciate, I don't need it either."
'I SPOKE BADLY TO HIM ON THE PHONE, AFTERWARDS THEY CHOPPED US UP'
Stating that he was unjustly sent off in the Kocaelispor match, the young coach said, "After that, I called the necessary places, the presidents. Everything got mixed up. Three days later, in the Kocaelispor match, Burak Pakkan sent me off for nothing. Until I was sent off, I didn't do anything, but the reaction I gave after being sent off was wrong, I had been sent off unjustly. Afterwards, I called Fuat Göktaş. If I am lying, I swear on my God, my religion, my book. I called and spoke wrongly on the phone. Because they tested me. Fuat Göktaş tested to see if it was me. I used bad words to him on the phone. That was my mistake, but after that, they did what was necessary to Gaziantep FK, they chopped me up in every match, brother. The federation is progressing this way. These referees are bad. This MHK Chairman is bad. Why doesn't he leave, what is this immunity? Galatasaray is also complaining, Karagümrük is also complaining. How will it be fixed, brother? It's going with buddy-buddy relations, it won't be fixed. I am resigning today. Because I am fed up. Every day we talk with İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, Mecnun Otyakmaz. Dear Mecnun Abi told me, 'That Burak Yılmaz was not announced because we didn't announce the youth setups.' At least ten people in my youth setup received penalties, there are people in all of your youth setups who received penalties for betting. There is injustice, rudeness, and rights being taken away here."
'I BECAME A PRISONER OF A PROMISE'
Also speaking about the financial situation and future at Gaziantep FK, Yılmaz said, "It's been two and a half years since I started as a technical director. My forehead is clear, my head is held high. I kept three teams in the league. I haven't experienced the failures that very valuable technical directors experienced in the past. I am very hurt by Gaziantep. There are constant talks saying 'Burak Yılmaz is looking for money.' I am not taking money from Gaziantep, I am taking a very modest amount. I made a lot of sacrifices so that my players' salaries and bonuses would be paid. However, they hurt me a lot because of the conflicts among themselves. If you ask, 'Why didn't you leave until now?' I made a promise and became a prisoner of that promise. My president underwent a very serious operation, I said I wouldn't leave him. But now it has reached my limit."
'I AM LEAVING'
Burak Yılmaz concluded his speech with these words:
"It doesn't work with these referees. Neither the champion nor the relegated team is satisfied. Does it work with this federation? They took our national team to the World Cup, may God be pleased, I respect that, but everyone there has become puppets of Ferhat Gündoğdu and Fuat Göktaş. Let them give me whatever penalty they want. Someone needs to tell the truth. They cannot set me up with an illegal betting scheme. I am calling out to Fuat Göktaş; he tested me. Afterwards, because I spoke badly to him on the phone, they chopped me up in every match. That's it, brother. If I have a lie or a shortcoming, let them come out and answer. I will answer all of them. I am leaving, may God protect."