17.08.2026 20:30
The defeat to Gençlerbirliği angered everyone at Fenerbahçe, especially President Aziz Yıldırım and head coach İsmail Kartal. Yıldırım met with Kartal, warned the technical staff, and said, 'This won't do. Except for the first half hour, the team isn't fighting, working, or running. With this level of effort, neither the championship nor a Champions League visa will come.'
Fenerbahce made a fast start to the season with 4 wins in 4, giving their fans hope for both the league championship and the Champions League, but the defeat against Genclerbirligi felt like a cold shower for the club.
ISMail KARTAL WARNED FIRST
There were heated moments in the dressing room and after the match of the clash in Ankara. During the break of the match, which ended 1-1 in the first half, head coach Ismail Kartal gave his players stern warnings, expressing his dissatisfaction with the performance.
AZIZ YILDIRIM STEPPED IN AFTER THE MATCH
After the match, President Aziz Yildirim stepped in. Yildirim met with head coach Ismail Kartal and Oguz Cetin and reacted to the football displayed. It was stated that Aziz Yildirim told the technical staff, "This won't do. Except for the first half hour, the team isn't fighting, working, or running. With this fight, neither the championship will come nor will a visa be obtained in the Champions League."
KARTAL'S LYON WARNING TO PLAYERS
Following the meeting, Ismail Kartal and Oguz Cetin held a brief meeting with the team. Reminding that the management built this squad with great sacrifices and high budgets, Kartal assessed, "The management spent big money for this squad and expects a return. There can be compensation for the Genclerbirligi defeat, but ahead of us are two critical Lyon matches with no compensation. We must alleviate the Champions League longing. You will see a team that runs, fights, and wants to advance against Lyon. Names who do not fight will not find a place in this team."