05.09.2026 14:31
In Yeni Mersin İdmanyurdu, one of the rooted city teams of Turkish football, which has been struggling with a transfer ban for 14 years due to debts left from Mersin İdmanyurdu, the obstacle has been overcome. As a result of negotiations with players, the Mersin team closed the CAS case and opened the transfer board, signing 27 new footballers to start a new chapter in the 3rd League. The goal is playoffs and the championship.
After years of competing in the Super Lig in Turkish football, a new era for football in the city is beginning following the collapse of Mersin Idmanyurdu, which started with financial problems.
The reflection of the debts left by Mersin Idmanyurdu, which ceased its activities in 2019, onto Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu posed an obstacle to the club making transfers for years. The Mersin representative managed to lift the transfer ban that stretched back 14 years.
14-YEAR TRANSFER OBSTACLE LIFTED
The process that began due to Mersin Idmanyurdu's debts dating back to 2012 also affected Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu. The case being pursued at CAS regarding the permanent transfer ban imposed by FIFA was closed after agreements were reached with the footballers to whom the club owed money. Thus, the transfer obstacle that had stood before the club for 14 years was removed.
27 FOOTBALLERS TRANSFERRED AT ONCE
With the opening of the transfer window, the Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu management acted quickly. The red-navy blue team renewed its squad from top to bottom by agreeing with 27 new footballers.
Club President Murat Altindere stated that they took office about 1.5 months ago and paid a significant portion of past debts, saying, "In July, we took over a team with no facilities, no jersey, and no ball."
Altindere highlighted the squad formed after the transfers, saying, "We agreed with our 27 players. We have built a wonderful squad. Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu is coming with a bang."
OLD CLUB'S DEBTS LEFT TO NEW TEAM
Altindere, recalling Mersin Idmanyurdu's decline from the Super Lig down to lower leagues, also explained why the old club's debts were passed on to Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu.
Altindere noted that factors such as the clubs' colors, common managers who served in certain periods, players, infrastructures, stadiums and training grounds, as well as logos and scarves used by fans, were considered as evidence in the CAS process, and stated that the case was lost two years ago and the old club's debts were transferred to Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu.
"WILL RISE FROM ASHES TO OPEN A NEW PAGE"
Altindere, noting that with the lifting of the transfer ban, one of the biggest obstacles in front of them has been removed, said the following:
"Thank God, today with a clean slate, Mersin Idmanyurdu will rise from its ashes and set an example for a new page in Turkish football history. We have paved the way for our city, the pearl of the Mediterranean, to progress confidently toward the Super Lig, where it truly belongs in football history."
TARGET: PLAY-OFF AND CHAMPIONSHIP
Yeni Mersin Idmanyurdu, which will compete in Group 3 of the 3rd League in the new season, will host Mazidagi Fosfatspor in its first match on Sunday, September 6, at 19:00. The club management has already set its target. Altindere, saying, "Our target is the play-off and championship," called on fans for support. The phrase "We rise again from our ashes" on the team bus also summarizes the roadmap the club has set for the new era.