Aziz Yildirim has been elected President of Turkish Süper Lig Club, Fenerbahçe; he just pulled off one of the most striking comebacks in Turkish football governance following eight (8) years out of power.
73-year old Yildirim, civil engineer and businessman, who led the Turkish top flight giants for twenty (20) unbroken years (from 1998 to 2018) defeated Hakan Safi, his opponent, at an extraordinary general assembly held on Sunday 7 June, 2026 in Kadikoy.
A statement from Fenerbahçe reveals, Yildirim polled a total of “17,245” votes to emerge President of Fenerbahçe. Safi amassed a total of “9,927” votes.
The election outcome seals the return of Yildirim to one of the most important offices in Turkish Sport.
The Club Statement reads: “Dear Aziz Yıldırım has been elected as the President of our Club with 17,245 votes received at our Extraordinary Elective General Assembly Meeting.
“Aziz Yıldırım: 17,245
“Hakan Safi: 9,927”
The election on Sunday was The Yellow Canaries’ third Presidential Election in as many years. It happened in the midst of heightening pressure over the Club’s inability to win the Süper Lig title since the 2013/14 season.
Yildirim made known his intention to run for the President of Fenerbahçe in May, 2026 citing duty and institutional experience.
53-year old Safi, a businessman, used his platform on Saturday to announce what he described as completed agreements with Mason Greenwood, Marseille forward; Merih Demiral, Turkey defender; and pledged to bring more signings if elected.
Founded in 1907, Fenerbahçe, one of the Three Big Clubs in Turkiye, other two (2) being Galatasaray and Besiktas, are yet to lift the Süper Lig trophy in more than ten (10) years.
Photo: Aziz Yildirim speaks during the High Council Board meeting of Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Türkiye in April, 2026 | IHA Photo
