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Istanbul football club Fenerbahce has reportedly decided to head to an early election as internal debate resurfaces following the conditional release of Club President Sadettin Saran, Turkish media reported.
The decision comes amid speculation that Saran, who was detained and conditionally released as part of a narcotics probe involving celebrities and media figures, opted to take the club into an electoral congress after convening with the board and his family.
However, the club has not disclosed the decision formally yet.
According to Turkish sports journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, Saran has yet to confirm whether he will run again, and sources suggest his decision hinges on the degree of backing he receives from club members during the lead-up to the vote. The move intends to restore internal clarity and allow members to express their preferences formally.
The exact role Saran will play in the upcoming congress remains undecided. If he secures sufficient support from the club’s general assembly, he is expected to continue his tenure with renewed backing. Otherwise, he may step aside to allow a new administration to take charge.
To mitigate disruptions to team dynamics and player negotiations, the club is reportedly planning the congress to coincide with the conclusion of the current season. This scheduling approach aims to avoid interference with match preparations and the summer transfer window.
Sadettin Saran, 61, is a Turkish-American tycoon who owns Saran Holding, an Istanbul-based conglomerate with interests in media, tourism, and aviation. He became president of Fenerbahce after defeating former club head Ali Koc in an election held in September, ending Koc’s seven-year tenure.
Fenerbahce, one of the most prominent clubs in the history of Turkish football, has been going through a challenging period since its last championship in 2014, with both fans and the board growing increasingly frustrated and intensifying efforts to find new solutions to end the title drought.
The club currently trails its archrival Galatasaray by three points in the Turkish Super League at the end of the first half of the season.
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