02.04.2026 16:31
Former Fenerbahçe executive Hakan Safi spoke about current issues after attending an event. Commenting on the criticism regarding the bonus support he provided to national team players, Safi said, "I asked our president İbrahim for support to help our national team. He kindly accepted. I tried to make a small contribution for the team to participate in the World Cup. I tried to ignite the fire. Those who criticize me are Galatasaray fans. Fear does not help against death."
Former executive Hakan Safi, who served at Fenerbahçe during Ali Koç's presidency, made statements to the press following the third anniversary event of the Istanbul Fenerbahçeliler Association held at Çırağan Palace.
''WE WITNESSED HISTORY''
Speaking about the A National Football Team's participation in the World Cup, Hakan Safi said, "Yesterday we were in Kosovo. We witnessed our National Team's final match after 24 years. We also witnessed history. Since yesterday, we have been enjoying this moment. It was difficult, but the end was beautiful. History always remembers the winners; it does not remember the good or bad of the game. We are also very happy to participate in 2026 after 2002. We thank our esteemed Minister, our federation president, and our coach for this success. Coach Montella was walking on the field with the Turkish flag after the match. I was honestly very proud. It was the second beautiful gesture I saw after our former coach Daum, a foreigner walking around with a flag. I would like to draw your attention to that." he stated.
''I TRIED TO IGNITE THE FIRE''
Regarding the criticism he faced for providing financial and moral support to the crescent-star players, he said, "I am no longer working as a sports manager at Fenerbahçe. I am a normal citizen like you. I continue to support both my Fenerbahçe and Turkish football. I am also a sports person, and I try to support sports. I requested our president İbrahim to support our national team of my own accord. He is from our region, and he kindly accepted. I tried to make a small contribution to the team's participation in the World Cup. I tried to ignite the fire. I see that the entire Turkish public is uniting beautifully regarding this; everyone is trying to put their hand under the stone." he commented.
''THOSE WHO DO THIS ARE GALATASARAY FANS!''
Hakan Safi expressed that those who criticize him for supporting the A National Team are supporters of Galatasaray, stating, "Of course, our players do not need money, but what is important here is that everyone, from the smallest to the largest, has a stake in this matter. I tried to do this, I tried to ignite it, but I see that there are comments like 'what is he doing there, why is he disclosing money, why is he entering the locker room.' Why is it said 'he is touching the footballers'? Whatever you feel, I feel the same. I also tried to touch all of them before the players went on the field. It developed spontaneously, together with our esteemed Minister, without distinguishing any team. The players are kind enough to love and respect us. They see our claim, they know it. I know who is disturbed and why. Now I will speak as a Fenerbahçeli. I know very well that those who try to criticize me are Galatasaray fans. Fear has no benefit against death. When we start to do something, when we go to the federation, to Ankara, and consult with the rival teams as necessary, there are teams that are disturbed. I know very well that this is not done by Fenerbahçeliler. Those who do this are Galatasaray fans, friends. Galatasaray teams, fear has no benefit against death. God willing, we will continue to do these things from now on. I try to act as a child of Turkish sports as I feel. I know what I am doing, may it be halal for me. I will continue to do it, and I will break all their routines. The one who will benefit from this will be the Fenerbahçe Club." he said.