Former Besiktas Club President Ahmet Nur Cebi claimed that during his term, he reduced the club’s debt by $200 million, while the current Hasan Arat administration has reportedly increased it by $100 million. Speaking at the 2024 Ordinary Administrative and Financial General Assembly Meeting at the ICC Istanbul Congress Center, Cebi responded to criticisms from Arat and the objections of many members present in the hall.
Stating that he has nothing to hide, Cebi emphasized, “I have nothing that I cannot account for. I neither stole nor allowed stealing in Besiktas.” He highlighted that when he took office in 2019, the club was in a difficult financial situation. He noted, “Four years ago, when I took over, the debt was 3 billion lira, equivalent to $582 million. When I left, the debt was 8.4 billion lira, equivalent to $288 million. I managed to decrease the debt by $200 million. Currently, the debt is 13.3 billion lira, equivalent to $386 million. In just six months, the new administration increased it by $100 million.”
“We Took Him from Galatasaray”
Cebi commented on transfers made during his term, saying, “Shall we also talk about Gedson instead of Amartey? This player plays with a salary of 1.4 million euros. Goalkeeper Mert Gunok, Masuaku are still playing. We already signed Semih Kilicsoy until 2026. Don’t act as if he was leaving, and you stopped it. We took Gedson, Rachid Ghezzal, Rossier from Galatasaray. Don’t only talk about the bad; acknowledge the good as well.”
“Here to Account”
Stating that he came to the general assembly to give an account, Cebi concluded, “I am here to account to you, I did not run away. From now on, I will keep coming. Whatever Besiktas needs, I will come running and try to help. What I have given and done for Besiktas is evident. The appreciation lies with the general assembly. I gave my account, and I will continue to do so.”
Amid frequent interruptions and reactions, Cebi left the podium to jeers.
