Did she have an affair with İmamoğlu, did she board a private jet? Volleyball player Derya Çayırgan broke her silence.

26.01.2026 17:40

Professional volleyball player Derya Çayırgan, whose name was mentioned in the İBB file and was released after giving a statement to the prosecutor's office, made a statement on her social media account responding to the allegations against her. Did she have an affair with İmamoğlu, did she board a private jet, did she engage in financial transactions? Çayırgan clarified all the issues that the public was curious about.

The professional volleyball player Derya Çayırgan, whose name was mentioned in the İBB file and released after a prosecutor's statement, published a comprehensive written press release regarding the allegations circulating about her on social media platforms and some media outlets in recent days.

WHY HAS SHE REMAINED SILENT UNTIL NOW?

Çayırgan stated that all the allegations in question are "immoral, defamatory, and clearly target her personal rights," expressing that both she and her family have been deeply affected by this process. The athlete, who stated that she broke her silence to prevent the formation of a false impression in the public and to protect her personal honor, announced that she has resorted to legal means against all allegations.

DID SHE RECEIVE MONEY FROM İMAMOĞLU?

Derya Çayırgan firmly denied the allegations regarding money transactions and private life related to Ekrem İmamoğlu, which have resonated widely in the public. Emphasizing that "I did not receive 50,000 Euros or any money from anyone, especially not from any politician or Ekrem İmamoğlu," she stressed that such claims are completely unfounded. The volleyball player, who also argued that all allegations suggesting she had a "special relationship or was a girlfriend of Ekrem İmamoğlu" are slander, shared with the public that the income she has earned throughout her long professional sports career and her sponsorship agreements have formed her financial structure, and she does not need such external funds.

STATEMENT REGARDING THE INCOME STATEMENT

Recalling that she has been showcasing her talent in professional volleyball for over 20 years, Çayırgan highlighted the European championships and achievements she obtained in clubs like Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. The athlete, who stated that she also answered questions regarding her income situation in her prosecutor's statement, revealed that her only regular income at the moment is approximately 40,000 TL in rental income. Reminding that if she continues her professional career at the same pace, her monthly earnings are expected to be "close to 1 million TL" according to market conditions, Çayırgan emphasized that her current savings have been obtained through her own labor and hard work.

DID SHE BOARD A PRIVATE JET?

Addressing the allegations regarding "private jet" flights and urban transformation circulating on social media, Çayırgan stated, "I did not board any jet; I was not involved in the mentioned flights," adding that this situation can easily be proven with official aviation records. The athlete clarified that their house in Bahçelievler was demolished not due to urban transformation, but because it was sealed in April 2023 due to severe damage in the adjacent building, stating that the building was demolished along with its belongings and that support was provided to many victims like herself during this process. She also argued that she was outside Istanbul due to a match schedule at the time of the incident, asserting that no special privilege was granted to her.

Here are Derya Çayırgan's statements;

Recently, false, unfounded, and completely imaginary allegations have been circulated about me on social media platforms and some media outlets.

All of these allegations are immoral, defamatory, and clearly target my personal rights. Therefore, both I and my family have been deeply affected by this process. Additionally, due to the attempt to create a false perception in the public about my life and professional career, which I have built with hard work for years, it has become necessary for me to make a written statement for the first time.

At this point, one might ask, "Why haven't you made a statement until now?" I would like to express this clearly: Many names other than mine are included in the scenarios served to the public, and these allegations are spread by associating them with various individuals and circles. Therefore, I waited for a while for the other mentioned individuals to make a statement. However, due to the lack of any statement and the possibility that this silence could create a false impression in the minds of those who love me and the public, it has become necessary for me to make a statement for the sake of my personal honor and reputation.

1) THE MONEY ALLEGATION IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that I did not receive 50,000 Euros or any money from anyone, especially not from any politician or Ekrem İmamoğlu. These allegations are completely unfounded.

I am someone who has been a professional athlete for many years. In addition to my club revenues and bonuses, I have also had sponsorship and advertising collaborations. In this context, having certain amounts of money entering and exiting my account is a natural result of my profession and income structure. Therefore, it is not true that I received money from any individual or politician as alleged, nor is there a situation that would require me to need such funds.

2) DID SHE HAVE A ROMANCE WITH İMAMOĞLU?

Furthermore, all allegations suggesting that I had a "special relationship" or was "a girlfriend of Ekrem İmamoğlu" are also slander. Such a situation has absolutely not occurred.

3) MY PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Throughout my professional sports life of over 20 years, I have played for different clubs and achieved significant sports successes. European runner-up with Galatasaray and fourth place in the Champions League; second place in Turkey and European championship with Fenerbahçe; sixth place in the league in Çanakkale.

4) MY INCOME, ASSETS, AND SAVINGS

With the income I earned during this process, I built my life. My income has sometimes come through the bank, and sometimes in the form of cash payments and bonuses due to the working conditions of sports.

When examining both my bank account transactions and the income levels of professional athletes like me, it will be clearly seen that I have a normal income and savings structure.

I have never pursued a "luxurious life"; on the contrary, I saved and invested for years. I created savings through methods such as gold, foreign currency, and time deposit accounts.

Additionally, all the clubs I played for outside of Istanbul provided accommodation; my house, bills, and basic expenses were covered by the clubs. Therefore, my personal expenses have been limited, allowing me to save and invest my earnings.

For example, I bought my first vehicle in 2012. In 2016, when I left Çanakkale, I made a land investment. Again, in 2016, during my time at Halkbank, I purchased the mentioned vehicle. In 2019, I acquired my house in Fikirtepe by using a loan from Halkbank and my own savings. I also bought the property I acquired in 2023 entirely with my savings. In 2025, I purchased a higher model of my vehicle; I sold my existing vehicle to the place I bought it from and added to it to acquire the new one. In October 2025, I sold my land due to a cash need that arose during a period when I was not working.

5) ABOUT URBAN TRANSFORMATION / DEMOLITION OF OUR HOUSE

Our house in Bahçelievler has not been demolished due to the urban transformation process. In April 2023, due to severe damage to the columns of our neighboring building in the evening hours, the building and surrounding structures were sealed off. The mentioned building was demolished while our belongings were inside; during this process, our building was also damaged. Support has been provided not only to us but also to many others affected by the same situation. I would also like to mention that I was not in Istanbul during this incident due to my match schedule.

6) MY CURRENT INCOME STATUS

During my statement to the prosecutor's office, my current income status was also questioned; I stated that my monthly income is approximately 40,000 TL as of today. This income is currently my only regular income, which is rental income. Conversely, if I were to continue my professional sports career, it would be expected that my monthly income would be around 1 million TL based on market conditions. In summary; I have stood on my own feet throughout my life through my own labor, sweat, and honesty.

7) EXPLANATION REGARDING THE "JET" CLAIM

I would like to emphasize that I do not know the circles they associate my name with and the individuals they claim. Additionally, the "private jet" claim made against me does not reflect the truth. I have never boarded any jet; I was not involved in the mentioned flights. This matter will be clearly revealed by official aviation records.

8) LEGAL PROCESS HAS BEEN INITIATED

It is impossible for me to remain silent in the face of such serious allegations. A criminal complaint has been filed against those who made and spread these claims, and a lawsuit for moral damages has been initiated. Because this situation is not only an attack targeting me personally; it is also a clear injustice directed at a woman's labor, reputation, and life.

I would like to particularly emphasize that the purpose of initiating this process is to make the facts known to everyone visible in the legal arena and to inform the public correctly. I have infinite respect for our state and judicial authorities. I firmly believe that the truth will come out at the end of this process. Everyone who has known me for years knows: I have come this far by working and fighting, and I will continue to stand strong in the same way.