The chairman of the Turkish football committee is expected to resign after text messages about Fenerbahce -boss Jose Mourinho have been made public.
Sky Sports News understands that Celal Nuri Demirturk has told the Turkish football federation (TFF) about his intention to resign and his formal resignation letter is expected to follow, while other members of the PFDK (Professional Football Disciplinary Committee) can also follow.
This follows what Fenerbahce calls “hostile” statements about Mourinho in leaked WhatsApp interviews, reportedly between committee members. The TFF has been approached for comment, but it still has to respond.
Fenerbahce is also worried by other alleged internal exchanges that, they say, suggest a preference for their Galatasaray rivals.
Fenerbahce says that the comments “clearly violate the principle of impartiality”. They also say: “Our club has submitted an official application to the Turkish football federation in response to the correspondence that has been made public and is claimed that he belongs to members of the disciplinary Council of Professional Football.
“We believe that this hostile mentality, which clearly violates the principle of impartiality and is based on confrontation and revenge, has no place in Turkish sports.
“The fact that members of one of the most important councils responsible for determining justice in Turkish football, not only make the concept of 'discipline' dysfunctional, but also a clear attack on the principles of impartiality and equality in sport.
“As a Fenerbahce Sports Club we will follow the issue and we will continue our fight for Schoon Voetbal to the end.”
It is understanding that the WhatsApp changes relates to Mourinho and an exclusive interview he did with Sky Sports News after he had been reduced four games (later to two) in February.
“After the derby I received a ban from four games,” said Mourinho. “Then it comes to the audience that celebrates the head of the disciplinary committee among friends in a Galatasaray shirt.
“It was exposed on social media. Then my ban of four games will be reduced immediately to two. Only here can you understand the dimension”.
Mourinho was accused of damaging the reputation of Turkish football within a few hours, but the indictment was thrown away. “There is no room for determining the punishment,” it was determined by majority.
In further responses to Sky Sports News three months ago, Mourinho explained his concerns about the system in Turkish football.
“We have found good stability [on the pitch] But everyone in this country knows that, if things do not change, it is impossible to win [the league title]”He said.
“I raise my voice to defend my club and defense of Turkish football, because this is a beautiful country. But football here must be more than this. So if I can help this club to do something that can change the direction of Turkish football, that would be a fantastic feeling for me.”