12.05.2026 15:40
The statement made by dismissed Mardin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Türk regarding Amedspor, "A team from Kurdistan has been promoted to the Super League," has sparked controversy. Presidential Advisor Oktay Saral reacted harshly to Türk, saying, "Let those who think they can engage in politics by ignoring the name, flag, and state of this nation know that; there is no state called 'Kurdistan' in these lands, nor will there ever be. The name of this state is the Republic of Turkey. You must know your boundaries, your place, and your limits when speaking."
The post by dismissed Mardin Metropolitan Mayor Ahmet Türk, stating 'A team from Kurdistan has been promoted to the Super League' regarding Amedspor, sparked controversy and drew a harsh reaction from Presidential Chief Advisor Oktay Saral.
Ahmet Türk, the former Mardin Metropolitan Mayor, caused a political stir with his post about Amedspor, which finished second in the Trendyol 1st League and gained promotion to the Super League.
WORDS 'A TEAM FROM KURDISTAN' DREW REACTION
Ahmet Türk, who was elected Mardin Metropolitan Mayor in the March 31, 2024 local elections but later dismissed, said in his social media post, 'I am very happy, a team from Kurdistan has been promoted to the Super League, I wish them success.'
Türk's post quickly became a topic of discussion in the political arena.
FIRST REACTION CAME FROM DESTICI
Mustafa Destici, Chairman of the Great Unity Party, a partner in the People's Alliance, also harshly reacted to Ahmet Türk's post.
In a statement on his social media account, Destici said, 'What Kurdistan? This is the Republic of Turkey. If you don't like it, go away.'
HARSH REACTION FROM PRESIDENTIAL CHIEF ADVISOR SARAL
A reaction to Ahmet Türk's statements also came from Presidential Chief Advisor Oktay Saral. In his post without naming names, Saral stated:
'Let those who think they can do politics by ignoring the name, flag, and state of this nation know that there is no state called 'Kurdistan' in these lands, nor will there be. The name of this state is the Republic of Turkey.'
Saral also said, 'It is not anyone's place to fuel separatist aspirations through football. This nation has been brothers for a thousand years; no language of sedition can break this unity. You must know your limits, place, and boundaries when speaking.'