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Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli has accused Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu of attempting to strengthen his influence within UEFA by developing ties with Barbara Ceferin, the wife of UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, through an Istanbul art exhibition.
Altayli alleged that Haciosmanoglu, who is seeking a position within UEFA, the governing body of European football, deliberately approached the organization's president through his wife's involvement in the art world rather than dealing directly with him.
The journalist further claimed that Haciosmanoglu personally covered the costs of bringing Barbara Ceferin's gallery to Istanbul and that individuals close to the Turkish football chief purchased artworks at prices several times higher than their estimated value.
The allegations concerning financial arrangements and artwork purchases have not been independently verified.
Barbara Ceferin is an artist and the founder of Galerija Fotografija, a Slovenian gallery that supports emerging artists.
According to Altayli, Haciosmanoglu arranged for the gallery to take part in Contemporary Istanbul, an international art fair bringing together galleries, artists and collectors.
The journalist suggested that the exhibition provided an opportunity to establish closer personal ties with the UEFA president's family.
Galerija Fotografija's participation in the September 2026 edition of Contemporary Istanbul is confirmed by the gallery's official exhibition records.
Altayli claimed that Haciosmanoglu paid the gallery's participation expenses out of his own pocket, while associates of the TFF president allegedly bought the displayed artworks for several times their market value.
He suggested these purchases contributed to an exceptionally successful appearance for Barbara Ceferin's gallery at the Istanbul fair.
However, Altayli's account did not provide specific financial figures, transaction records or independent evidence establishing the alleged payments.
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Altayli linked the alleged financial support and artwork purchases to Haciosmanoglu's reported ambitions within UEFA, suggesting that the Turkish football chief hoped to secure a favorable response from Aleksander Ceferin.
In a sarcastic conclusion, the journalist questioned whether the UEFA president could leave such a gesture unanswered and whether Haciosmanoglu had effectively earned himself a position within European football's governing body.
The allegations remain claims made by Altayli, with no independently established connection between the gallery's participation in Contemporary Istanbul and any prospective UEFA appointment.
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