Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu came to Papara Park to watch the Trabzonspor – Galatasaray match played in the 28th week of the Super League. Making a statement to the press before the match, Hacıosmanoğlu said, “I wish you success. I came to visit my mother’s grave. A friend of ours also had a marriage ceremony, so we did that. While we were here, we decided to stop by the match. During these years, our very valuable federation presidents served Turkish football. There is no point in distinguishing them as being from Trabzon. This is a national cause. In fact, do not think of it as just 80 million, we represent the Turkish-Islamic world. In other words, nearly 20 countries.” The federation called us. We are waiting for Türkiye’s success in the World Cup, we will hear about it. We eliminated Kosovo. An hour later, the Kosovo Federation President wished us success and said, ‘I hope God wills it and we will come back with the cup.’
‘NO ONE SHOULD SEE THE REFEREE, LET THEY SEE THE FOOTBALL BEING PLAYED’
Emphasizing the unifying power of football, Hacıosmanoğlu said, “Football has the unifying power at the highest level. We also defend this. May God Almighty grant us unification in every field, not only in Türkiye but also in the world. Football is played on the field. My only wish is that no one should see the referee on the field, but see the football being played. I look at it from that perspective. I hope it will be the same. Our fellow referees also manage the match well. No one should lose their rights, let whoever deserves it on the field win.” he said.
‘WE WILL NOT TAKE MONEY TO THE GRAVE, WE GIVE IT FROM OUR OWN MONEY’
Responding to the criticism about the bonuses given to the National Team players, President Hacıosmanoğlu said, “God Almighty granted me the presidency of the federation. For what days do we need the money? We need it for these days. We are happy if we could motivate the children in a little way. Otherwise, we will not take the money to the grave. No one should worry, we give it to the children from our own money, from our own capital. I said ‘Be the world champion’, and after that, they will encounter things that you may not have imagined. People are talking, looking for something under something, but “I don’t listen at all, and neither should you,” he said.
‘WITH MONTELLA ON THEIR HEAD, THEY CONTINUE’
Speaking about coach Vincenzo Montella’s contract situation, Hacıosmanoğlu said, “He already has a long-term contract. Even if he had a bad result in Kosovo, we would continue with him as long as we continue. Because he is the one who built this team, he is the one who established this family environment. We have already signed a new contract. They will play 2-3 more tournaments with these kids. I hope they will continue with Montella as their leader.”
🎙 TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu:
💬”We represent the Turkish-Islamic world. Nearly twenty country federations called and said ‘we are waiting for your success’.”
💬”(Premium issue) Money is needed for these days. We are happy if we could motivate the children a little bit, we will not take the money to the grave,… pic.twitter.com/vYz6lzuPtH
— AA SPORTS (@aa_spor) April 4, 2026
