09.07.2026 20:00
Former president İlyas Gönen harshly called on current president Seyit Mehmet Özkan to 'step back' at Altınordu, which decided not to participate in the TFF 2nd League. Gönen reminded Özkan of his promises to the club and asked him to reconsider the decision to withdraw from the league.
In the 103-year-old century-old Turkish football club Altınordu, which is expected to compete in the TFF 2nd League, waters are not calming down.
THE DECISION THAT STIRS ALTINORDU: 'TAKE A STEP BACK'
The club's decision not to participate in the league this season has caused great unrest in the community. Following the developments, İlyas Gönen, one of the former presidents of the red-navy blue club, made a written statement, harshly calling on current president Seyit Mehmet Özkan to 'take a step back'.
'DON'T FORGET THE PROMISES YOU MADE'
Stating that they appreciate President Seyit Mehmet Özkan's contributions to both İzmir and Turkish football so far, İlyas Gönen reminded Özkan, known for his businessman identity, of the promises he made to the community in the past, saying, 'When you took over the club, you made some promises to both our fans and the entire sports public. Behind your success in business lie adherence to principles and loyalty to your word. Now we expect you to show the same stance in line with the vision and goals you have set for Altınordu.'
'THIS CLUB, WHICH IS AN EXAMPLE TO THE WORLD, CANNOT WITHDRAW FROM THE LEAGUE'
Reminding that Altınordu offers an exemplary infrastructure model to the entire world with its motto 'Good individual, good citizen, good footballer', the former president ended his letter by referring to Özkan's frequently used phrase 'Three-day world', as follows:
'In this temporary world, our greatest wish is for you to be remembered as a principled and trustworthy sports figure, leaving a pleasant echo. You must reconsider the decision to withdraw from the league, which deeply saddens the entire football public. On behalf of the Altınordu Fans Association and the entire community, as a former president, I request that you listen to this common outcry and keep the club in the professional leagues where it belongs.'