21.06.2026 13:50
Fatih Terim made his long-awaited statement following the "accountability" dispute with TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu. Terim said, "I am aware of the expectations that have formed. Everyone, not 99 percent but 100 percent, understood what I said correctly. I have been in Turkish football for 55-56 years, thank God, I am right at its center," emphasizing that the focus should be on the problems of Turkish football.
In the second match of Group D of the 2026 World Cup, the Turkish National Team was eliminated in the group stage after losing 2-0 to Paraguay. Following the match, head coach Fatih Terim evaluated the national team's performance on his YouTube channel and also addressed the recent controversies surrounding his statements.
After TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu's remarks about him, Terim, whose response was eagerly awaited, stated that he did not want to engage in a polemic and emphasized the need to focus on the problems of Turkish football.
"I HAVE BEEN AT THE VERY CENTER OF TURKISH FOOTBALL FOR 55-56 YEARS"
Fatih Terim used the following expressions in his statement: "I am aware of the expectations. You will appreciate that I am not in a position to explain myself on such a day. The entire nation has understood what I said 100% correctly, not 99%. I have been involved in Turkish football for 55-56 years, thank God, at its very center. We are talking about a half-century of a vast body of work.
Let us focus on the problems of Turkish football and not waste time here. I beg you, let us not waste time here. Think of it this way: I am talking about something bigger. What happened, what should happen, what will happen? Let us look at these questions. Let us not dwell here, let us move past these issues."
HOW DID THE CONTROVERSY START?
Previously, Fatih Terim had made a plea to fans in his evaluation following the National Team's defeat against Australia.
Terim said, "My request from our people is: accountability will always be sought, but let us be a bit more tolerant, a bit more loving, and a bit more blind to mistakes throughout the tournament. Don't kill us, in other words."
These words sparked widespread public reaction, and TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu also gave a harsh response to Terim.
HACIOSMANOĞLU: WHO WILL YOU ASK FOR ACCOUNTABILITY?
İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, in his evaluation of Terim's statements, used the following expressions:
"Who will you ask for accountability? It didn't suit Fatih Terim's stance and wisdom. At least tell us who you will ask for accountability. For that reason, I couldn't associate it with him."
Speaking after the defeat to Paraguay, Terim, instead of directly entering into a polemic, emphasized the need to discuss the future and structural problems of Turkish football.