Debt statement from Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan: Our rivals are at 35 billion, we are at 3 billion

01.11.2026 15:34

Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan said at the club's 61st Ordinary Divan General Assembly that the debt was approximately 3 billion TL as of August 31, while their rivals' had risen to the 35 billion level. Doğan announced that they had made over 100 million Euros in player sales in the last year and that this was a first in the club's history.

Trabzonspor Club President Ertuğrul Doğan said, "Over the past year, we have carried out player sales of approximately more than 100 million Euros. There is nothing similar to this in Trabzonspor's history. We do this with the system we have developed, with teams independent of one another. We did not establish a system that would break down if one person leaves."

The 61st Ordinary Divan General Assembly Meeting of Trabzonspor Club was held at the Hamamizade İhsanbey Cultural Center. The meeting was attended by Mahmut Ören, Chairman of the Trabzonspor Divan Presidency Board; Ahmet Metin Genç, Mayor of Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality; Ahmet Kaya, Mayor of Ortahisar; Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan; Vice President Zeyyat Kafkas; board members; and numerous divan members. At the meeting, which began with an audiovisual presentation telling the founding story of Trabzonspor Club, Salih Aladağ provided information about the Activity Report.

In his speech, which he began by thanking the members of the Divan Board, Trabzonspor Club President Ertuğrul Doğan touched on the importance of the support given to him, especially in difficult periods. Doğan said, "The Divan Board has a different significance for me. Our esteemed elders are here; they have always stood by us in troubled times. Because they knew that we were doing the right thing and that our concern was Trabzonspor. You are not fair-weather friends; you were always by my side on bad days. This is very important to me."

Noting that they could not start the season well but that they went through a rapid transition period with the planning change made, Doğan said, "We could not make a good start to the season. Even though we called it a 3-4 year plan, we had to make a change in our planning, and we did this very quickly. I think we also went through a very successful transition period. Here, I thank our esteemed coach, our esteemed players, everyone very much. They put in a great deal of effort. It was a very stressful period. It was the same for me. We made a fast and good transition. We are going well right now. Beyond going well, no longer just Türkiye but the whole world is talking about what Trabzonspor is doing. They are talking about the young players we sold and the players we brought in. If this city wants it, and if the management puts forward a certain vision, it has also shown whom it can bring. There were also questions like this in Trabzon: 'Would these players come to Trabzon?' Players do come to Trabzon and are very happy, very happy indeed. They talk about Trabzonspor everywhere. This is the most important point. The right players. We were always explaining our vision. While creating this vision, the importance of the experienced players alongside these valuable young players was also very great, both as they developed their careers and as we benefited. While we were reading these things, there were also some comments like 'Is Trabzonspor deviating from its path?' We read those too. No, Trabzonspor is not deviating from its path; Trabzonspor simply knows very well what it is going to do. This is also my 8th year here. From now on, no one, including me, has the chance to make a mistake. We have to be successful everywhere. We have to be successful not only in football but also in women's football and basketball. And in order to be successful, whatever needs to be done everywhere, financially and morally, all of it is being done more than enough; everyone should be very comfortable about this. I also expect success from our football team, our basketball team, and our women's football team. This city deserves it. And in some way, God willing, we will experience an important season," he said.

100 MILLION EUROS' WORTH OF SALES IN THE LAST YEAR

Referring to the player sales made in recent years, Doğan stated that they had created a player scouting system at the club that does not depend on individuals, and used the following expressions: "I think we have also achieved an important success in this regard. Over the past year, we have carried out player sales of approximately over 100 million Euros. There is nothing similar to this in Trabzonspor's history. We do this with the system we have developed, with teams independent of one another. We did not establish a system that would break down if one person leaves. At the moment, in terms of scouting, we are working with teams in 4-5 regions that are unaware of one another. For each player, 5-6 reports are obtained. If 3-4 of them are positive, it goes to our coach, and our coach makes the decision. We have established a system, and this system continues. This is not a system based on people or dependent on one person. I want everyone to be comfortable about this."

OUR RIVALS ARE AT 35 BILLION, WE ARE AT 3 BILLION

Making assessments regarding the club's financial situation, Doğan said, "As of August 31, let us say our debt is roughly 3 billion. When I said, 'These debts need to end; someone needs to apply the brakes,' I had received a lot of reaction. But those who reacted also had good intentions. Their reaction was not against me personally; it was given for Trabzonspor's success. They understand me now too. Let me give an example: when we came, our debt was at the level of 3 billion, and our rivals were at the level of 4.5-5 billion. Now our rivals are at 35 billion, and we are at 3 billion. We took the necessary measures here when necessary and were proven right," he said.

Drawing attention to the importance of unity and solidarity for Trabzonspor's success, Doğan said, "In the past, the people of Trabzon wrote that we need to be together for Trabzonspor to be successful. This is the most important issue that needs to be discussed here. All Trabzon residents and Trabzonspor fans must stand together to be successful. I will always be on the side that says people need to stand together. Throughout my administrative career, I have never been involved in even the slightest fight or argument with anyone in Trabzon. I went to everyone, I spoke with everyone. I asked everyone for favors regarding the club on certain issues, and everyone did everything necessary to help with my requests. The people of Trabzon and Trabzonspor have no choice but to be together," he said.

WE HAVE NO BUSINESS WITH ANYONE

Also touching on the quality of the team's squad and the work of the technical staff, Doğan said, "We have a very good squad. We have very valuable players. We have players whom all of Europe is talking about. Today, if I were to name 3 players who play iconic football, we would say Messi, Ronaldo, Salah. One of them is in Trabzon, training at the Trabzonspor facilities, taking the field in a Trabzonspor jersey. We have a very valuable coach. He instills a lot of positive energy in the players. Everything is going very well. While everything is going very well, I do not want to be involved in any argument. My duty is to continue doing whatever needs to be done for Trabzonspor's success. Paying salaries, making new sponsorship agreements, acquiring new land, adding value to our Trabzonspor. We will continue to do these things. Apart from this, we have no business with polemics or arguments. If a person from Trabzon aspires to a position, if a person from Trabzon wants to be somewhere, as Trabzonspor president I have given every kind of support, and I have continued to give every kind of support. I continue where I am. I continue working for Trabzonspor, I continue for the struggle Trabzonspor is waging. I am here to protect Trabzonspor's rights, I am standing tall right here."

Responding to a fan calling out from the hall during his speech, Doğan said, “No one is showing Trabzonspor who’s boss or anything like that, relax. In the end, everyone returns to Trabzon. Everyone’s friends, relatives, and graves are here. Everyone is a Trabzonspor fan. I believe everyone will act accordingly.”

Also explaining Trabzonspor’s facility development goals for the next 50 years, Doğan said, “The Trabzonspor management has two goals. To build two facilities, one in Trabzon and one in Istanbul, that will meet all of Trabzonspor’s needs for the next 50 years. I am receiving full support on this matter from our esteemed ministers and mayors. We want to start both projects at the same time, God willing, and build two facilities that will consolidate our next 50 years.”

NET DEBT 2 BILLION 951 MILLION TL

It was announced that Trabzonspor Club’s net debt as of August 31, 2026, was 2 billion 951 million 474 thousand 836 TL. At the meeting, on behalf of İsmet Keskin, Chairman of the Audit Board, Vice Chairman of the Audit Board Muhammet Zeki Paşaoğlu read the Audit Board Report. According to the disclosed financial data, the short-term debts of Trabzonspor Club and its subsidiaries were recorded as 8 billion 136 million 551 thousand 901 TL, and its long-term debts as 2 billion 722 million 630 thousand 245 TL. The maroon-blue club, with total debts of 10 billion 859 million 182 thousand 146 TL, reported short-term receivables of 7 billion 907 million 707 thousand 310 TL.

REACTION FROM THE DIVAN BOARD TO THE TFF

Mahmut Ören, Chairman of the Trabzonspor Divan Presidential Board, touched in his speech on the deprivation-of-rights penalties imposed on club executives by the TFF and stated that they support the stance President Ertuğrul Doğan has taken to protect the club’s rights. Ören said, “Trabzonspor is not a club that can be worn down by day-to-day debates or discredited by perception operations. Just as we defended Trabzonspor’s rights yesterday, we will continue to defend them today.” Ören also touched on the relocation of the Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Facilities and the new facility development project, and emphasizing that the process must be carried out with a planned, transparent, and sustainable approach, he proposed creating two separate, independent facilities for the A team and the Özkan Sümer Football Academy, and naming one of the new facilities after Ahmet Suat Özyazıcı.

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the Divan Presidential Board Osman Çavuşoğlu read the Divan Board’s public declaration. The declaration reacted to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) taking a decision made by the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) to the Arbitration Board. It was stated that this practice raises serious questions in Turkish football, and it was said, “The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) taking a decision issued by the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) to the Arbitration Board has, as an unprecedented practice in Turkish football, raised serious questions. The fact that an institution objects to a decision by a committee within its own body first and foremost calls into question that committee’s authority and the reliability of its decisions. This approach is difficult to accept in terms of the functioning of legal processes and institutional structure. Everyone must know their place, act within the framework of the law, and stop making football’s institutions serve their own personal and interest calculations.”

The Divan meeting ended with the delivery of documents to new members who became entitled to Divan membership, following wishes and good wishes.