Mustafa Hacıkerimoğlu: “I am not a candidate for the presidency of Trabzonspor”

Mustafa Hacıkerimoğlu, a former board member of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) whose name was mentioned for the presidency of Trabzonspor, announced that he will not be a candidate.

Prior to the upcoming Ordinary General Assembly of Trabzonspor, Mustafa Hacıkerimoğlu, who was rumored to be a candidate, made a written statement regarding the matter. In his statement, Hacıkerimoğlu said:

“The understanding of ‘me’ is an obstacle to ‘us’; we cannot remain great without ‘us’. We are in a time period where humanity has become very brutal. In my previous post, I called for democracy, institutionalization, and transparency. I sadly observe that this call has disturbed a minority group in the community. Responding to this call with accusations such as lies, slander, and conspiracies very well reflects the time we are in. Some associations, NGOs, and a few district municipalities that should be loyal and impartial to Trabzonspor expressed their loyalty to the current administration while there is still no second candidate, which is an expression of why my call has disturbed the minority.

I emphasized the information pollution in my call. Just 18 months ago, the previous president, Ahmet Ağaoğlu, was acquitted in the congress with 2.8 billion TL. Recently, both in a TV program and in the council, the current president stated that Trabzonspor’s current debt is 3.9 billion TL. He also mentioned in another statement that there was an inflow of 245 million Euros (approximately 9 billion TL) into Trabzonspor’s treasury. So, on one hand, the president states that Trabzonspor’s debt has increased from 2.8 billion TL to 3.9 billion TL, while on the other hand, he does not explain the 9 billion TL that has entered the treasury, creating a perception of great financial success in the public. Is his intention to gain exemption from explaining the 9 billion TL that has entered the treasury?

First of all, I would like to note that a part of this money that has entered the treasury came from Trabzonspor’s capital increase, and I would expect the club management to thank the shareholders in the stock market who did not object to this decision and supported the club in its difficult time by contributing money from their pockets. I thank each of them individually.

As I said in my previous statement, my priority is not the presidency of Trabzonspor, and I am not a candidate. My request remains the same; it is a call for democracy, institutionalism, transparency, unity, and solidarity. I apologize to each member of the community for the discomfort caused by my call in the city and extend my respects to all of you.”