"Unexpected move from Aziz Yıldırım after calls for Ali Koç to resign."

After the match in which Fenerbahçe lost 2-0 to the Spanish representative Athletic Bilbao in the 6th week of the UEFA Europa League, calls for president Ali Koç to resign began, and a message of unity and solidarity came from Fenerbahçe's former president Aziz Yıldırım.

AZIZ YILDIRIM'S STATEMENT

In his statement, Aziz Yıldırım expressed the following;

"FENERBAHÇE DOES NOT GIVE UP!

Recently, I have sadly witnessed that my name has been used on certain platforms following the negative results our football team has achieved.

First of all, I must state that the performance our football team has shown lately makes me unhappy, just like every one of our supporters. However, one thing that our community must absolutely not forget is that it is never too late for anything. In the past, for example, in the 2003-2004 season, our football team fell 8 points behind its closest rival and distanced itself from the championship claim. However, during those days, we reached the championship together by maintaining the unity and solidarity of our community.

In the 2010-2011 season, which is one of the most valuable championships in our glorious history, we also became champions by coming back from 9 points behind, and then we experienced the July 3rd Conspiracy.

This year, our football team is not in a worse situation than it was back then. The point difference is not greater than it was then. Fenerbahçe's history is filled with many success stories where unity and solidarity are at the forefront. Because Fenerbahçe does not give up.

Today is that day. Today is the day to unite, to support our team with all our strength, and to devote all our energy to this cause.

I believe that every Fenerbahçe supporter has the right to criticize failures as much as to praise success, and I respectfully acknowledge the criticisms. However, as a Fenerbahçe supporter, I do not find it appropriate to use Fenerbahçe as a material for internal club politics at this early stage of the 15th week. In this context, I am saddened by my name being involved in internal club political considerations.

Fenerbahçe has an elected president and management today, and undoubtedly, they are dedicating their efforts for our team with all their goodwill.

Our duty as Fenerbahçeliler, who are part of the most unique community in the world, is to support our club and to stay away from any behavior that could harm our team's championship struggle.

My family and I think this way and live this way. I kindly ask my valuable Fenerbahçe brothers to share this feeling and attitude with me.

I hope that the match we will play today against İstanbul Başakşehir will be a turning point on our way to the championship. My young daughter Yaz, who has a big heart, will also be at the ceremony for this match. I wish that our victory crowns her excitement with happiness, and I wish our team success in all remaining matches."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Fenerbahçe hosted the Spanish representative Athletic Bilbao in the 6th week of the UEFA Europa League. The yellow-blues lost the match 2-0, and the fans reacted to president Ali Koç during the match.

After the second goal conceded at the end of the first half against Bilbao, the yellow-blues' supporters called for Ali Koç to resign. The fans in Kadıköy chanted "Ali Koç resign" for a while. Additionally, Fenerbahçeliler also reacted to the team, which went into the locker room 2-0 down after the final whistle of the first half.

Moreover, the calls for resignation directed at president Ali Koç, which overshadowed the match in which Fenerbahçe lost 2-0 to the Spanish team Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League, spilled over beyond the green fields. During the match at Ülker Sports and Event Hall, chants of "Ali Koç resign" occasionally rose from the Fenerbahçe stands.