Galatasaray President Files Criminal Complaint Regarding Black Market Ticket Allegations

Galatasaray has made a move regarding the long-standing black market ticket allegations that have caused a crisis within the team. The club’s president, Dursun Özbek, has filed a criminal complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the matter.

FILED A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

In a statement from the yellow-red club, it was noted, “Our President, Dursun Aydın Özbek, applied to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office today at 14:30, filing a criminal complaint to investigate the allegations that the tickets for Galatasaray Sports Club football matches were being sold at high prices through black market means, thereby benefiting Galatasaray Sports Club executives and employees, as well as third parties.”

WHAT ARE THE BLACK MARKET TICKET ALLEGATIONS?

The allegations that some individuals from the club were selling black market tickets, thereby unfairly profiting the club and certain individuals, were first brought to light by Hayri Kozak during a Galatasaray Divan Board Meeting. Although Kozak did not name anyone, he claimed that certain officials were involved in such actions, which could have severe consequences for the club. Following this speech, it was claimed on social media that a ticket operation worth 54 million euros had taken place. According to the allegations, two methods were used.

METHOD 1: TICKETS FOR MAJOR MATCHES ARE IMMEDIATELY SHOWN AS “SOLD OUT”

In matches with high interest, such as Champions League games and the Fenerbahçe derby, 10,000 tickets put on sale by the Galatasaray Club were shown as sold out instantly through a special application. These tickets, purchased at regular prices, were then sold to fans on the black market for up to 5,000 euros. It is said that the Galatasaray fan group (UltrAslan) was used for black market sales. It is estimated that 54 million euros in revenue is generated annually from tickets sold using this method.

METHOD 2: SEASON TICKETS TRANSFERRED TO THE CLUB ARE SOLD ON THE BLACK MARKET

Season ticket holders transfer their season tickets to the club for matches they will not attend. The club puts these tickets up for sale on a per-match basis. Sixty percent of the sale price goes to the season ticket holder, and forty percent to the club. According to the allegations, these tickets transferred to the club were also sold on the black market underhandedly. Thus, both the club and certain officials and the fan group made unfair profits.

ALI YÜCE’S RESIGNATION

Galatasaray Board Member Ali Yüce announced his resignation from his position via a statement on social media, stating that the timing and manner of the official statement made just hours before the Young Boys match forced him to make this decision. Ali Yüce’s statement was as follows:

“Dear Galatasaray Fans, I have always considered serving Galatasaray as a duty as a member of the Galatasaray community and never expected any position in return for fulfilling this duty. I accepted to join the board at the invitation of our President, Mr. Dursun Özbek, in the election held on May 25, 2024. Since the day we were elected, I have tried to fulfill all the responsibilities that fell upon me in line with Galatasaray’s interests. During my tenure, I have closely followed the agenda and expectations of our community and have tried to voice them at the Board meetings. However, I have come to a crossroads due to serious differences in opinion regarding the management approach and decision-making processes during this time. Just hours before our crucial Champions League play-off second-leg match, the timing and manner of the statement shared from our official account forced me to make a decision. As of today, I have resigned from my position as a member of the Galatasaray Sports Club Board of Directors. I will continue to support our club in all sports branches as a fan and will be there for our club whenever needed. Galatasaray is not just a sports club for me; it is a sense of belonging that I will carry with pride for the rest of my life. Sincerely, Ali Yüce.”

THE STATEMENT THAT LED TO THE RESIGNATION

Before the critical Young Boys match, Galatasaray had made a notable statement regarding the 54 million euro black market ticket allegations, which had been occupying the agenda for some time and were reportedly under investigation. Here is the statement made by Galatasaray:

“Since the moment we were elected with the favor of the members of Galatasaray Sports Club, our only aim has been to fulfill this entrusted duty in the best possible way… At the point we have reached today, we see that the criticisms towards our board and our colleagues have exceeded the limits and turned into unjust accusations and immoral slanders.

Starting with the lie that there is an ongoing investigation, and then continuing with the slander that some of our board members were called to testify due to these accusations, we invite those responsible for these speculations to prove their claims as soon as possible; if they cannot, we declare that we will fight them in the same way as we fight our enemies of Galatasaray.

We will share all the actions we have taken and will take on this matter with the public tomorrow.

Before that, we will play one of our most important matches of this season, and we will win!”