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Fenerbahce’s hopes of staying in the Turkish Super Lig title race were dealt a heavy blow on Sunday after a crushing defeat to city rivals Besiktas. But it was not just the result that rattled Istanbul's Kadikoy district—it was the explosive reaction from thousands of fans demanding accountability. Fenerbahce President Ali Koc is facing mounting pressure after his team’s devastating home loss to archrivals Besiktas.
A thunderous chorus of protest echoed across Sukru Saracoglu Stadium as furious supporters directed their anger at club president Ali Koc. The chants of "Ali Koc resign" and "What have you done to mighty Fener?" rang out from the stands both during and after the match. Many also voiced support for former president Aziz Yildirim, seen by some as a potential alternative to the current leadership.
The discontent marks a new low in the relationship between fans and the board, especially after a series of underwhelming results despite big expectations this season.
The reaction followed last week's statement from Ali Koc at the High Council meeting, where he firmly said: "Open the doors and let everyone hear it. Leadership doesn’t change just because fans want it." Those words seem to have further ignited the already growing frustration.
The outrage was not limited to the stadium. Social media platforms exploded with criticism targeting not only Koc but also head coach Jose Mourinho. Fans questioned the Portuguese manager’s tactics and player selections, with hashtags demanding change quickly gaining traction.
Simultaneously, efforts to trigger an extraordinary election within the club have accelerated. According to reports, a group of Fenerbahce members has been gathering notarised signatures for the past two weeks. Sunday’s result only intensified the campaign.
Sources indicate that the number of signatures surged dramatically overnight, as many club members publicly declared their support for early elections. The club’s statutes require 9,200 notarized signatures to initiate the process.
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