What happened in Turkish football today? 29/04/2020

French did right decision as health should be priority.

Turkish and international football community are currently discussing about decision of French government to end 2019-20 Ligue 1 season among others sports activities, with discussion that it has been rushed decision but we need to remember that its been made to reduce chances for spread of virus.

Here,it is important to remind that both in Holland and France football federation has been busy with making decision to resume season but decision has come from government via health community suggestion. In fact, as been noted from yesterday post Science Committee actually provide suggestion to government but not going through for sure would lead to high chances for virus to spread. Therefore, it is crucial to see that this decision has been put into local community. There is strong talks that Bundesliga would be resume around mid-May but any time German government could end season. As been noted several times by our blog since Covid19, we miss football but actions needs to be done in effect of health comes first, not money.

Turkish football community did make it sound for now that one of the reasons it needs to end season due of UEFA requirements, but Holland and France showed that there is no need at all when health is priority.

Clubs state that health comes first, but when comes to league their run personal interests.

Even through we are recieving very good news from Turkish statistics regarding fight against Covid 19 developments, it needs to be remembered that Turkey did get control of Covid19 for now but it didnt win battle.

As been noted before, it is much harder to get in control this virus right now then to lead it once again to be spreading due of its nature. Therefore, one mistake both from public and private organisations could lead to circumstances by which it would be needed to pay even more. This is also case for TFF when it decides to continue its season, even through once again reminder that Science Committee has, with underliying that its rightfully, right to announced stoppage of football season. Sadly, it does look football community in Turkey more focussed into personal interests to end season rather then for whole. Even if most state that health comes first, it is noticeable clear that some teams are fighting for self-interest. If decision to continue would be motivated by this then we could have big circumstances.

Decision by France and Holland could provide some new guidelines to Turkey, including opening option of ending season which it underlines its not having in plans. Not that it would be one making this decision.

Uncertainty of leagues to be resumed is being specifically hard for footballers

With seeing how on ease French and Dutch leagues has been stopped while clubs down there were preparing for resuming league has raised fate of league in Turkey and other countries unclear which would have negative impact to players.

Without doubt one of the main actors which are waiting for cleariness about rest of the season are being players which have both uncertainty about virus and also leagues. It is true that football leagues around Europe, until government doesnt interfere, are pushing for leagues to be resumed provide stressful situation. While CEO, roughly speaking, are fine to push restarting date as long as it would be beginning, players are being nervous for sure for this uncertainty. Even through this would go against popular wave in community right now, it would be better to end season when condition is uncertain and does have chance to get better and worser, to keep psychology of players not being damaged even more.

Players are being main characters of football game without doubt, but right now it does look football community doesnt care much about them when making decisions.

In other news:

- Trabzonspor has made profit of 23 million TL for period between 1st June 2019 to 29th February 2020.

- Ankaragucu CEO assistant Ergun Yucel has resigned from his post

- Romanian Civil Aviation didnt allow Gaziantep head coach Marius Sumudica and player Alexandru Maxim flight with private jet to fly to Turkey

- Denizlispor CEO Ali Cetin has stated that club has paid 2.5 million euro for past 2 weeks and aims to pay other 2.5 million euro next week.

- WerderBremen considers to sell its player Nuri Sahin during summer transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to appoint Walter Mazzari as club's head coach.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Besiktas player Caner Erkin.

- Sivasspor player Emre Kilinc has stated that he recieved transfer offers from Spanish, French and German clubs.

What happened in Turkish football today? 28/04/2020

Turkish Sports Doctors Committee has stated that it would prefer not for league to be restarted.

Turkish Sports Doctors Committee has announced today that their would not prefer for league to be restarted until Covid19 threat has been entirely eliminated but stated that it aware of UEFA demand to end season.

Stating that, it needs to be noted that despite of call given by UEFA to end this season, both Dutch and French government did announce its decision not to play any sports high level competitions, which of couse includes football top leagues. Therefore, this two examples to some extension does provide how seriously those 2 governments are taking into consideration of human health. Therefore, without doubt Turkey needs to be providing similar example rather then feeling to be dominated and pressurised from UEFA as mistakes in this area as been noted beforehand could have serious circumstances.

Meanwhile, committee has also announced that games if would be resumed needs to be played without supporters without any excuses.

Ankaragucu would resume training session on 4th May.

Ankaragucu has announced that it would be resumed training session for possible restart of the season on 4th May with providing additional focus into cleanliness of its facilities.

This date is very likely to be given into response for waiting for decision to be made by TFF regarding when leagues would be restarted with all clubs would be having meeting in upcoming days where fate of the league would be actively discussed between clubs including possible date of the restart of the season on 12th June. Stating that actions of Science Committee would be affecting directly for such decision to be made in the end of the day as chance for league to be cancelled is surely on table.

Still Ankaragucu need to act accordingly and hence start its training session next week.

Besiktas players who are abroad would return to Istanbul next week.

Besiktas has called all of its players who has travelled to their homeland to visit their families to be returned on next week so their would be having for training session after 14-day quarantine period their would be going through after arrival.

With possible date for restart of the season is being on 12th June, clubs as been noted need to provide according reaction, and one of them is to bring back players who are currently abroad to be able to go through 14-day quarantine period. It would be however interesting to see if those players would like to be returned as their been some worry their would show some resistance but time would be showing if it would happen in Besiktas or other clubs.

With focus right now being on 12th June to restart of the season, foreign players who abroad would slowly return to Turkey.

In other news:

- YeniMalatyaspor plans to gather with whole side for training next week.

- Aktif Bank's Football Economy Report Before and After Covid 19 has predicted that Super League would be losing 1 milliard TL.

- NECNijmegen has announced that it has recieved 750,000 euro debt payment from Fenerbahce for Ferdi Kadioglu

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Al Ittihad player Aleksandr Prijorovic.

- BocaJuniors are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Fernando Muslera

- Trabzonspor are interesed to transfer Gent player Georgi Chakvedatze

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Steaua Bucharest player Bogdan Planic.

What happened in Turkish football today? 27/04/2020

Final word regarding resuming leagues would be given by Science Committee.

Turkish science committee member Ates Kara, which are currently through Covid 19 development and prevention of spread in country, has stated that to make healthy decision about resuming season and when it would need around 7-10 days.

This statement to some extend means that it would be more reasonable for TFF to be waiting for decision from Science Committee rather then making its own decision as it could be changed or even fully cancelled which would provide some criticism, towards TFF as we know footballing environment in Turkey. It needs to be noted that Kara has suggested that playing in 1-2 cities would be much safer as our blog did state several due of reduction of travelling and hence risk of getting infected would be reduced. Key word is here suggestion as his statement was made before committee made decision in given matter, and could be changed to order which TFF, Clubs Union and broadcaster will not be able to go against. In addition, Kara mentioned that only players and technical staff would be allowed to stadium to reduce chances for virus to spread. Meanwhile, even if TFF doesnt consider to cancel season, it should as this possibility is always existing.

Aytac Kara statement more or less has stated what was known which is, rightly, it would have last word in this matter and reminds what this post keep saying: actions in this period would be dominated by what needs to be done, and not what it wants to be done.

Denizlispor started training session with groups of 4.

Denizlispor had its first training session today with 4-players and has become one of the few clubs to start preparation for resuming league which is currently been discussed to be on June.

With some clubs hoping for league to be resumed in June and some not being very willing to do so would need to still start preparing for this restart and make sure that it would be ready so far. From what is known, clubs which did start some training programs in its facilities are been Besiktas, Yeni Malatyaspor and Denizlispor which is even through being risky move for sure, would needs to be done to be ready if games would be played. Some clubs manwhile are waiting for decision to be made about date when league would be resumed and have its training programme according to that.

Denizlispor did right move but its need to make sure that chances for virus to be spreading in facilities would be kept in minumum.

Galatasaray has offered 30% reduction of salary to Muslera and Akbaba

Galatasaray continues it works with reduction of salary with its players as it aims to reduce salaries of its players Fernando Muslera and Emre Akbaba by 30%.

It is strongly expected that Muslera will not be providing much issue with such offer as he made clear beforehand that he would create any issue with reducing salaries for any moment but question mark existed with Emre Akbaba is not being known for sure as he didnt provide any response in such matter. Stating that Akbaba is known to be club supporter since childhood and feels happy at the club so our expectation that he would also be willing to go for such reduction. It is also rumoured that Galatasaray would be for some harsh measures if those would not be accepted during summer tranfer window.

Galatasaray expected to provide such offer and time would show how players would respond.

In other news:

- Kasimpasa has resumed training session.

- Besiktas administrative meeting has been postponed to August.

- Fenerbahce are interested to appoint Jorge Manuel Rebelo Fernandes.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Luton Town player Simon Sluga

- Fenerbahce has offered 2-year contract to Napoli player Jose Callejon with 5 million euro salary

- SheffieldUnited are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Altay Bayindir

- Goztepe player Napoleoni aims to stay at club next season.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Aytac Kara

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Bursaspor player Burak Kapacak and Brondby player Rezan Corlu.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer 1928 Bucaspor player Baris Sungur.

- Besiktas player Domagoj Vida doesnt consider to leave club during this summer transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Al Hilal player Bafetembi Gomis.

What happened in Turkish football today? 26/04/2020

Clubs losing money, so their want to play games again.

Our blog would carry on focussing towards such high willingness for high number of Super League clubs with wanting to restart season in around 12th June as it becomes clear that main reason for this are being UEFA and money.

Even through when Covid 19 has entered to Turkey almost 2 months ago, high amount of clubs has demanded for leagues to be stopped due of thinking of health conditions of its players, staff members with putting righly health first. But as those clubs didnt recieve any payments which includes from broadcaster, their have realised their dont have enough money in disposal, issue which was existent even before Covid 19 in this country. So, now almost all clubs are showing their want to end season with season to be starting from June so money would be able to come again. Now, with cases dropping in last few days trend does show league could be restarted but we are at critical month and thinks can change. When it would it would be interesting to see stance of clubs.

Once again needing to start league and wanting to start league are different things. Need to restart it or not decision would be given by virus behaviour and science committee.

Holy month of Ramadan is critically regarding of cases in country.

Without doubt, holy month of Ramadan in Turkey, would be also very critical during fight against Covid 19 as people would need to change their habits in this period and its questionable if their would.

Rightly given 4-day curfew which among including first 2 days of Ramadan and also International Children's Day would be ending on 27th April which means that behaviour of people in this people would become even more crucial. In all fairness, Turkish government and science committee did warn people to open fasting at home without much social activity following staying home and social distancing. Now, how this month would be spend in area of cases which would be coming out in Turkey hence would have direct impact of leagues to be started and even possibly science committee might be reluctant to make final decision regarding June or given green light with reminder that it can change decision later.

Holy month of Ramadan or more precisely people behaviour in this period hence would have direct impact how Turkey would be going with its fight against Covid 19 in all spheres.

Denizlispor would restart training session on 27th April

Denizlispor following current timetable of season to be restarting on 12th June, would be starting its training session on 27th April with starting slowly as much clubs would be.

Since clubs as been stated beforehand would be needing to provide right action during their preparation for restart of the season, Denizlispor has joined Besiktas and Yeni Malatyaspor with its pre-resume training session with going stage on stage with likely first training session focussing into condition of the players individually, as Denizlispor being sides which still didnt secure its place at top league it would need to have good training session and be ready for restart.

Denizlispor hence resumes its training session which it aims to have in productive manner.

In other news:

- TFF CEO Nihat Ozdemir: We have 10 alternative plans for rest of the season. One of them is to restart on 15th July and end late August. We would play rest of 8 weeks in the weekends.

- Alanyaspor player Fabrice Nsakala has agreed for 750,000 euro salary from Besiktas

- Besiktas has offered 50% reduction salary to its player Caner Erkin.

- Hatayspor are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Selcuk Inan.

- Fenerbahce has offered 2-year contract to Inter Milan player Kwadwo Asamoah.

- Besiktas considers to loan Arsenal player Mohamed Elneny for another season.

- WerderBremen-loaned player Omer Toprak doesnt consider to stay at club for next season.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer PAOK player Dimitrios Giannoulis.

- Milan has offered its player Hakan Calhanoglu to Schalke 04 in return of Ozan Kabak.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer PSV Eindhoven player Armindo Bruma

- Fenerbahce and Besiktas are interested to appoint Arieldo Brailo as club's sports director.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Maccabi Tel Aviv player Omer Atzili.

What happened in Turkish football today? 25/04/2020

TFF is detirmened that it could be starting season in June...

Even through final decision would be made in the end of the month, and that could even be changed afterwards, Clubs Union CEO Mehmet Sepil among TFF are showing strong detirmination to restart season on 12th June.

Even through our blog did provide some uncertainty on that date, and to some extend still does, it needs to be noted that during last 3 days we are recieving present news from Covid 19 war as amount of new cases is getting less by each day. However, once again it needs to be mentioned and its been clearly stated beforehand this decision has been led by UEFA statement that needs to be completed by start of August but TFF and other federations needs to focussing into domestic issues and not let to be dominated by UEFA for sure. Some administrators keep stating health is most important issue right now, but it needs to act on that when decisions would be made.

Once again, it does look like leagues could be restarted with trend we having in last few days but it needs to be aware that it might need to be going for change.

...but Science Committee and government still might cancel games.

Even through this plan looks to be feasible and could turn into reality we need to remember that things could be changed fast and Science Committee might not allow sports events to take place in June.

Even through this drop of new cases is being very present news it needs to be noted that those numbers could be reflection of days when country has been in curfew which could describe such low new cases and as been stated before hand its harder to control this virus then let it to be spread, and unfortunately we could experience raise of cases again, hopefully not through. In this scenario, Science Committee and government for the sake of prevention of spreading of virus could be deciding to not have any sports activities in whole June, decision which noone in football community would be able to do anything. In fact, Dutch Football Federation wanted to compete this season but Dutch government made decision not to have games until 1st September.

Hence, even through football community states that it would restart season on 12th June means there is pretty high probability, but its still not certain.

4 Galatasaray players  still didnt respond regarding of their salary reduction request from club.

It became clear that Galatasaray players Radamel Falcao, Sofiane Feghouli, Emre Akbaba and Younes Belhand still didnt provide any response of salary reduction.

Taking account that discussion about this issue has been taken some time ago, does provide some worries from club administrators that those players would not be accepting reduction of salary which could be reason for their silence and if this would not be accepted club would need to go to external measures of ending contracts with those players. Stating that it could be that those players are thinking about amount of reduction and are not actually against reduction so it could be wrong to blame them right now.

Time would clearly show what is stance of those players and how this would reflect for their future in the club.

In other news:

- Kayserispor CEO Berna Gozbasi has stated that it would restart training session on 2nd May if league will be resumed in June.

- Trabzonspor would resume training session on 2nd May.

- Everton are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Lorient player Jimmy Cabot.

- Fenerbahce considers to offer 2-year contract to Goztepe player Titi.

- Galatasaray has offered 300,000 TL to Rizespor player Ogulcan Caglayan

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Arda Turan.

- Gaziantep administrator Muslum Ozmen has stated that club are happy with its head coach Marius Sumudica

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Union Berlin player Rafal Gikiewicz

- BocaJuniors are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Mauricio Isla

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Goztepe player Serdar Gurler.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Hasan Ali Kaldirim.

- Besiktas has made transfer deal with CSKA Sofia player Edwin Gyasi for 2 years

What happened in Turkish football today? 24/04/2020

Muharrem Kasapoglu gave green light to restart season on June for now.

Turkish Sports and Youth minister Muharrem Kasapoglu had a meeting with TFF CEO Nihat Ozdemir and Super League clubs CEO with an aim to discuss about stances of the club and wasnt focussed to make any decision, but mainly to get roadmap for end of the season.

Following meeting, Clubs Union CEO Mehmet Sepil has stated that current situation in upcoming period of time could be changing right now, but current focus is to restart season on 12th June and ended on 26th July which including league and cup games which does show that focus to end within 4 weeks could not be case right now, even through things could be changed following awaited meeting between clubs in the end of the month where provisional focus would be taken. Its here important to state that even through in past 2 days their is been reduction of new cases, this most are numbers following last week curfew and also things could be changed into worse or better in upcoming days due of Ramazan. But if positive results would be still coming then it wouldnt be much issue to restart season on June.

Muharrem Kasapoglu until now has provided green light for resuming league but things could be changed dramatically in upcoming days on both ways.

Nations need to decide if it could complete season individually and not relate to UEFA.

Focussing now into UEFA stance in general manner, it needs to be noted that their has once again their willingness to end season on August, but all football associations in Europe would need to put health foremost rather then UEFA statements and economical issue.

When virus just began into pandemic was spreading rapidly everyone agreed that all activities which includes outdoor should be stopped with people thinking about health issues, however with economy in all sectors stop going down, people thinking how to restart business including football leagues. Here it is important to note that virus across Europe is getting under control, but its not been defeated. In fact, it is harder to keep virus in control then make it spread actively again as one person could start new chain while breaking chain is much more difficult. Dutch government when cancelled all league games until 1st September, is taking this stance. What its more important here, UEFA even through provided some flexibility if season is not ended, provides still big pressure to end season and especially in July so it can conclude its tournaments on August. Looking on paper it looks reasonable, but its not even unsure if it would be able to play them. As remembered, it has been reluctant to stop its tournaments but been forced to do so. History might repeat and purely for that countries needs to make decision themselves according to virus conditition, and dont let UEFA dictate them.

If countries aim to defeat virus with minimum casualties, it needs to act on such manner certainly. 

Completing season in Istanbul would be suicidal, much more then ending in Antalya

There is been some suggestion right now in Turkey among some Super League clubs to end season in Istanbul, if it would be played one city. Such suggestion and even consideration is being most out of place one and goes directly against all logic to reduce risk of virus to spread in general and in football.

All of the countries which are discussing to end season in one city form are considering to play in one which is capable to fulfill its clubs in same time but among this candidates where spreading is at lowest. Istanbul as would be expected does have highest cases with 12,000 cases in time of writing, in comparison 2nd most affected city Izmir has 1,105. In fact, Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca has referred Istanbul as Turkish Wuhan. Now with argument, city has most stadiums, facilities and accomadation which some are providing just either are going for populism (clubs which has strong fan base are from Istanbul as it is known) or still dont understand what we fighting for. Therefore, completing season in Istanbul would just have enormous conclusions, and if this being only logical solution (obviously its not) then there is no need to complete this season.

Suggestion about Istanbul does come out, but we as blog just hope that this might not be even on table when clubs would meet in end of the month.

In other news:

- Denizlispor will have training session on 27th April.

- Galatasaray player Mariano: I've been 9-years outside Brasil and we as family thinking to return back. Right now my agent is talking about my future with my current club.Contract in the end of the season.

- Basaksehirspor administrator Mustafa Erogut has announced that club has sign 3 young African players.

- Arsenal are interested to transfer Feyenoord player Orkun Kokcu.

- Schalke04 considers to sell its player Ozan Kabak due of financial issue raised from Covid19.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Sivasspor player Erdogan Yesilyurt.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer San Lorenzo player Adolfo Gaich.

- Galatasaray player Ryan Donk grandmother has passed away due of Covid19.

- Besiktas aims to reduce salary of its player Kevin Prince Boateng of 1.5 million euro.

What happened in Turkish football today? 23/04/2020

UEFA wants to league end on August, but provided flexibility to ones which will not end.

UEFA has renewed its statement to its own 55 members that all of the leagues needs to be
completed on August, but provided some understanding and flexibility to leagues which would be cancelled.

With Belgian clubs calling for league to be cancelled and Netherlands government announcing that no sporting events would be allowed to take place until 1st September, UEFA has repeated its strong demand from members to complete leagues but same time made important notice that no harsh actions will be taken if leagues would be cancelled. According to statements teams would be expected from performance merit, which is very likely to be case of its current positions in the standings. This decision has been crucial one as without doubt it would been too harsh for leagues to be failing to complete season when its not being in their own control. Without football federation which aiming for sure to complete season, will not be under high pressure to do so.

This would provide some alternative moves towards most of leagues when making decision for rest of the season for sure.

Kasapoglu will meet with clubs to discuss about roadmap for rest of the season.

This statement without doubt would provide flexibility also to Super League and this matter would be discussed at scheduled meeting between Turkish Sports and Youth Minister Muharrem Kasapoglu with TFF CEO Nihat Ozdemir and other clubs CEO's.

It is known that all clubs are showing strong willing to complete season in one way or another but in same time some players and clubs does have some worries with situation with virus getting even worser in upcoming period and hence it would not be saved to complete league. It needs to be noted that even through new cases in country, in our view, is still being high it is being stabilised with hope that it would be going down afterwards in which condition their should not be reason not to end season, even through it is still quesitonable if this positivism would come into reality. Still, it is expected that Kasapoglu likely to give green light for leagues to be resumed but would be discussing how to play in most safest conditions and also reminding that things could change.

This meeting would provide some roadmap for meeting which will happen in start of May where final decision and format of last 8 weeks of season would be taken.

Besiktas needs to find solutions with players who waiting for unpaid salary

Discussion about salary reduction still being among subject areas right now especially with Besiktas where some of the foreign players, such as Loris Karius who have went to FIFA, are demanding to recieve unpaid salary before going to reduction.

This is being without doubt confusing matter because to some extend both parties could be seen right on their own right as player will demand for payment of performance which he showed before pandemic and hence deserved money. This problem, with current Besiktas admitting to be case themselves, due of not managing finances before hand but due of lack of money which it has cant do and hence demands for players to go to reduction to unpaid salaries. Since there is no money in disposal, its stance for sure could be also understood. Besiktas went into pretty harsh and direct decision that who wouldnt follow salary reduction at any form will contract to be ended, with being close to do so with Loris Karius. Karius loan deal meanwhile hasnt been terminated as been noted beforehand but process of that has been started.

More or less this is being internal issue between club and its player, and Besikas more due o circumstances aims to solve in manner where it would be winner.

In other news:

- Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan has donated 100 school books to children.

- LeicesterCity player Caglar Soyuncu has donated 100 shirts to children.

- Ankaragucu CEO Fatih Mert has stated that Gerson Rodrigues didnt recieve transfer offer from Fenerbahce.

- Fulham has set transfer fee for Jean Michael Seri from Galatasaray

- Lazio are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Caleb Ekuban. Meanwhile, Al Hilal has offered 8 million euro for Nwakaeme.

- 

Denizlispor player Mustafa Yumlu has stated that he would be playing for his club next season.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Al Hilal player Sebastian Giovnco.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Samsunspor player Nurullah Aslan and Rizespor player Ogulcan Caglayan

- Besiktas player Domadoj Vida is currently looking for other clubs to transfer to.

- Qatar has offered TFF to be location for completing Super League season.

What happened in Turkish football today? 22/04/2020

Romania considers to end its season in Antalya.

Romanian Football Federation while discussing how to end this season has put one of its option to play rest of the games in Antalya as it would be able to end season in secure ways and interestingly it would be even be more economical suitable.

This discussion which is taking in Romania could be seen pretty interesting is while foreign league would be discussing to play in such city, while number of Super League clubs tend to be showing some unhappiness for league to be played in one city. As been mentioned in our previous posts, main aim right now at football and whole community is to find way how life can get bit more closer to normality with same time reducing virus to be spreading around from level of city up to globally. Hence playing in one city is being reasonable alternative with all clubs would be geographically in one location which would minimalise virus spreading around. This can be not necessarily Antalya but different city, but surely not Istanbul as been suggested by Galatasaray CEO as being most populated city it has highest risk to spread around.

Romania move possibly would help people to criticise to play in Antalya or in different but still at one city to go through this idea once again.

Turkish president Erdogan had video conference with national team players.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has organised video conference with Turkish National Team squad players with an aim to provide motivation to players and to check conditions of the players.

Regardless whats your view towards Erdogan, this move should be seen surely as positive as its been observed that many players both in Turkey and around world are feeling worried due of this Covid 19 outbreak as most people in fact are. So this meeting purely without doubt has been organised to keep motivation high of those players and possibly to provide assurance to players that government does everything to keep this virus under control. Surely, this meeting would led players to have less anxiety about issue when talking to number 1 in the country.

Goodwill which been shown from Erdogan would certainly raise mood for this players while their being at home right now.

Clubs need to work together against Covid 19, and not lead individual interests in statements.

Sadly, it needs to be noted that in such difficult period where everyone needs to be going after common fight against Covid 19, we are seeing that number of clubs when discussing about how to end season lead their own interests.

What is most worrying, while providing their suggestion or/and criticism of some suggested decision their trying to provide some arguments why this is being right decision to prevent Covid 19 spreading. As we are living in period where respected medical experts cant provide exact definition of Covid 19 situation, it does look ridiculous that clubs try to sound like experts. Its true that all of them would respect decision which would be given by TFF in the end for ending season (like their have choice) but in same time it provides criticism which are motivated by own interests. Once again, our blog has always stated that all bodies including in one question should have their own voice. Hence, all clubs should play actively when making decision regarding ending season, but those clubs needs to provide solutions which is safest to everyone not how their would winning condition. Comments like fans have right to protest if games will be played without them, league should be completed in Istanbul and similar one only does harm and might slow making final decision.

Football community is also fighting against Covid 19 but it needs to fight it together not individually.

In other news:

- Denizlispor player Adam Stachowiak has terminated contract with his club due of not recieving salary for 2 months.

- Galatasaray media coordinator Hande Sumertas has resigned from her post.

- Trabzonspor player Alexandr Sorloth has arrived to Trabzon and entered to 14-day quarantine period.

- Galatasaray player Radamel Falcao didnt expect salary reduction suggested by club.

- YeniMalatyaspor has provided its shirts to kids around city as gift for International Childrens Day and provide morale due of Covid19 outbreak

- Besiktas considers to be starting with Ersan Destanoglu during last 8 games during this season.

- Galatasaray has made extension deal with its player Fernando Muslera until 2023 with reduction of salary from 3.575 million to 2.5 million euro.

- Napoli are interested to transfer Roma player Cengiz Under.

- Besiktas has made transfer deal with Alanyaspor player Fabrice Nsakala for 2+1 years with 1 million euro salary

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Tigres player Enner Valencia

- Besiktas are interested to transfer PSV Eindhoven player Daniel Schwaab.

- Besiktas player Burak Yilmaz has stated that he would accept only 10% salary reduction.

- Antalyaspor CEO Ali Safak Ozturk has stated that club didnt recieve any transfer offers from other clubs for Nazim Sangare.

What happened in Turkish football today? 21/04/2020

UEFA shouldnt demand for leagues to be completed, only suggest.

UEFA is determined to end this football season with domestic leagues on latest July, so it can continue its plan to complete its own competitions in month of August but it needs to be taken into account about domestic issues.

Once again, we are experiencing period at which want of some people in upcoming future, will not be met with what needs to be done due of this ongoing virus still providing some danger to whole communities around world. Therefore, it needs to be noted that UEFA could provide suggestion for season to be completed, but it can dictate as with some countries resuming season could lead for much bigger circumstances afterwards, which in all fairness does also include situation in Turkey. Therefore, its aim is understandable but it needs to be much more flexible when asking this suggestions.

It does look like some leagues will not be able to be competed which might be Super League also, so its needs to provide some empathy in this condition.

Super League clubs needs to make common decision how league needs to be competed.

Another issue which seems to be taking place in Super League, is that some clubs are asking for scenarios to compete season in matter which would be suitable, even through this is understandable its not productive to make decision.

In fact, in atmosphere where question if season would be competed at all and when different bodies both related to football, government and science committee are looking for solution, it is no time to provide statements that we dont accept it especially when that club is not providing alternative solution. Not wanting to play in specific cities? But its being safest city where league could be completed. Dont want league to be resumed with supporters? Then would you be able to carry burden from new cases which might bring into unwanted result in return? Clubs hence need to forget about personal interests in league to find best way to end season or otherwise this season would not be competed.

In all sphere best solution for future in such difficult period, is for community to work together and that includes football.

Galatasaray will not pay salaries between April-May 

Galatasaray as been noted before did make decision of rather then going for reduction of salaries, is not providing any salaries to players while league is not played which means their would not be salaries paid between April-May.

Club is currently continuing negotiations with players regarding this issue as Selcuk Inan and Fernando Muslera are being two players which has accepted such offer while it continues with other players who are expected to make deal with such offer even through its not easy choice. Stating that it would make sure that their would be recieving same amount of salaries when this crises is over so to some extend their salaries would be only frozen and afterwards would go into effect.

It would be interesting to see how players would respond to such offer as talks continue among players and administration.

In other news:

- Fenerbahce player Berke Ozer has arrived to Trabzon where he would stay at 14-day quarantine.

- Milan considers to extend contract with its player Hakan Calhanoglu for 5 years

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Reims player Dario Maresic.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Manchester City player Claudio Bravo.

- OlympiqueLyon are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Younes Belhanda

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Huracan player Norberto Briasco.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Aston Villa player Wesley Moraes

What happened in Turkish football today? 20/04/2020

Domadoj Vida looks positive for salary reduction.

It became clear that Besiktas player Domadoj Vida has become 1st foreign player in the team and 2nd in whole squad, after Necip Uysal, who is willing to go for reduction of salary which clubs aims to make.

With being pretty unsuccessful with making salary reduction during 1st talks, Besiktas has started its 2nd talks and are reported to be making deal with Vida who is being most paid player with 3 million euro. With Vida being happy in his club and providing top level performance for most time, it should be expected that he would be among players who would be looking normal for salary reduction, even through as would been expected he would be also for to be paid unpaid salary fully understandable which club seems to be looking solution for this.

This news without doubt would be seen as good development by administration for sure and would be expecting that some other players will be following suit in upcoming days.

Besiktas and Yeni Malatyaspor has started training session.

Besiktas and Yeni Malatyaspor became first 2 clubs to be resuming training session at Turkish Super League as their is optimistic hope that season would be resumed in start of the June.

Quite naturally, even through its hard to state that Turkey is being in ideal condition for football world to get into normality, their is set provisional date of June to restart season and therefore clubs would need to act following to that. Besiktas and Yeni Malatyaspor has become first 2 clubs to start their preparation for season resume with other clubs expected to start their training session in upcoming days. Meanwhile, both clubs has trained with 4-5 players due of keeping social distancing but it has been important for them to get back into football field and have better training session compare to challenging home condition.

Even through this blog did state that its hard to plan for future, it would be important for clubs to start preparing if June will be resuming date.

If season would be completed, playing 2 games per week is only realistic way. 

With most Super League clubs are looking focussed into starting season in June, their is also discussion how league would be completed for last 8 weeks with it being strong discussion to play 2 games per week.

One of the worrying aspects, which to some extend did been also mistake of TFF to some extend, is that most of the clubs are not used to play 2 games per week even through its been normal even through sometimes criticised system at top leagues. Therefore, this focus to end season in duration of 8 weeks rather then 4 could be highly optimistic and could be tough to players but we are in condition where it hard to provide much protest in such issue. With taking account that their is also discussion to complete season in one city, possibly Antalya, it would be easier to play for one month with Sunday-Wednesday system which been practiced by top league for years.

If TFF wants to end this season, it would need to go through such system without affecting too much next season for sure.

In other news:

- Alanyaspor plans to restart training session during this week.

- Besiktas administrator Erdal Torunoglu: Loris Karius has went to FIFA requesting unpaid salary and termination of contract. He wants payment for period which he didnt play, its unfair.

- Fenerbahce player Emre Belozoglu: I am open to any offer which club would be giving to me in the end of the season. Neither players or administration discussed about salary reduction.

- Kayserispor player Pedro Henrique has send complaint to FIFA for not recieving payments on time.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Ankaragucu player Gerson Rodrigues

- Fenerbahce are interested to appoint Manuel Pellegrini as club's head coach.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Lille player Nico Gaitan

- Goztepe will not keep players who like to live in end of the season if their ask for salary rise.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Chicago Fire player Nico Gaitan and CSKA Sofia player Edwin Gyasi.

- Fenerbahce are interested to appoint Christoph Daum as club's sports director.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Groningen player Azor Matusiwa

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Wolverhampton player John Ruddy.

- Trabzonspor player Alexander Sorloth agent Morten Wivestad has stated that player didnt recieve offer from Real Madrid and Sevilla

- Fenerbahce considers to extend contract with its player Mehmet Ekici.

- Besiktas and Galatasaray are interested to transfer Juventus player Gonzalo Higuain.