05.05.2026 17:35
Mehmet Ali Aydınlar announced that he will not be a presidential candidate at Fenerbahçe Club. In his statement, Aydınlar said, 'I will not be a candidate in the extraordinary general assembly with elections, in order not to allow Fenerbahçe's future to be overshadowed by debates over my person.'
Former Fenerbahçe executive Mehmet Ali Aydınlar announced that he will not be a candidate in the club's extraordinary general assembly with elections.
"I WILL NOT BE A CANDIDATE"
In a written statement to the AA correspondent, Aydınlar said, "In order not to allow Fenerbahçe's future to be overshadowed by discussions that will arise over my person, I will not be a candidate in the upcoming extraordinary general assembly with elections."
Aydınlar, stating that he has been following with sadness how his Fenerbahçe membership has been discussed in different ways recently, noted the following:
"In this period our club is going through, I stepped forward to contribute to Fenerbahçe's future and implement a management approach befitting this community. Today I see that from the first moment my name was mentioned with the candidacy, the events, words, and resulting atmosphere of debate do not align with the principles and values I have always defended. The dream of Fenerbahçe becoming a global brand is not a goal of today for me; it is a permanent ideal I have believed in and tried to support in every period. My loyalty to my club is not tied to a title, a position, or a status."
Aydınlar, conveying that he sees his commitment to Fenerbahçe as a responsibility he carries in every moment of his life, continued as follows:
"However, at this point, I see that an environment has been created where the discussions revolving around my name are far from contributing to Fenerbahçe's sense of unity. It is clear how difficult it is to build a common future on a ground where everyone sees themselves as more of a Fenerbahçe supporter than another, and everyone maps a path based on their own truth. What I have done for our club and every responsibility I have carried so far align with my conscience and my love for Fenerbahçe. I can account for this to anyone on any ground."
Aydınlar, stating that personal goals take a back seat to any agenda that divides the community, conveyed the following:
"Therefore, in order not to allow Fenerbahçe's future to be overshadowed by discussions that will arise over my person, I will not be a candidate in the upcoming extraordinary general assembly with elections. I sincerely thank all our members of congress and every individual of our community for the appreciation and support shown during this process. My loyalty to our Fenerbahçe has never been dependent on individuals or circumstances. It will not be in the future either. As a Fenerbahçe supporter who is proud of its past, feels responsibility for its present, and believes in its future, I will continue to do whatever is necessary, whenever needed, and always stand by my club. Because Fenerbahçe is the club of values, not individuals."