20.05.2026 21:40
The Hatayspor board, who bid farewell to the 1st League, called on the Turkish Football Federation to abolish relegation this season. The club announced that it supports the proposal of the Nationalist Movement Party Chairman Mr. Devlet Bahçeli to abolish relegation in all leagues.
Hatayspor, which was relegated from the TFF 1st League to the 2nd League, has called on the Turkish Football Federation to cancel relegation this season.
"WE SUPPORT DEVLET BAHÇELİ'S CALL"
In a statement from Hatayspor Club, it was stated: "The illegal betting, match-fixing, and fraud allegations that have overshadowed all our professional leagues this season have seriously damaged the foundation of justice and the principles of fair competition in our football. In an environment where such dirty allegations and off-field factors are being discussed, Hatayspor Club fully supports the historic call made by Nationalist Movement Party Chairman Mr. Devlet Bahçeli to protect the honor and justice of Turkish sports. Mr. Bahçeli's prudent and fair proposal to abolish relegation in all leagues is the only way forward for the future of our football. Our club, which has been struggling to survive under extraordinary and difficult conditions since the February 6 earthquake disaster, has also become a victim of this climate of fraud affecting all leagues. Implementing relegation in a season where integrity has been compromised would mean punishing innocent clubs that have worked hard at all levels of Turkish football. As Mr. Devlet Bahçeli emphasized, for the sake of establishing clean football, it is a legal and moral necessity to register this season, which is overshadowed by doubt, without relegation at all league levels. We invite the Turkish Football Federation and all relevant authorities to heed this rightful call and express our gratitude to Mr. Devlet Bahçeli for defending the justice of Turkish football and the rights of clubs."
DEVLET BAHÇELİ HAD ALSO MADE A CALL
It was claimed that MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli also sent a message to Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, urging "do not register the leagues." It was reported that Bahçeli, citing the 'match-fixing and betting' operations carried out this year, recommended the abolition of relegation for this season and that the Süper Lig be played with 21 teams next year.