FENERBAHCE COACH RESIGNS AFTER ROMA DRAW, CLUB PRESIDENT REFUSES TO ACCEPT

Ismail Kartal announced his resignation as Fenerbahce head coach immediately after the Turkish club's 1-1 Champions League draw with Roma on Thursday. Kartal stated at the post-match press conference that he was leaving "never to return" and that he had made the decision "to clear the way for the club". Minutes later, club president Aziz Yildirim told reporters that Kartal would remain in his position, saying "I am his senior, I told him to continue and that's it."

Yildirim attributed Kartal's resignation announcement to frustration over two specific incidents. During the match, a supporter threw a bottle that struck Kartal, and the coach also cited pressure from criticism of the team's performance. Fenerbahce confirmed the spectator involved in the bottle incident had been identified and banned from the stadium. The 65-year-old Kartal had returned to Fenerbahce for a fourth managerial spell in June, with the club having qualified for the Champions League group phase for the first time in 18 years. The team currently sits ninth in the Turkish Super Lig following two wins and two defeats in their opening four domestic matches.

Yildirim released a statement criticising the club's supporters and media for the pressure placed on Kartal, calling for the community to "uphold the values of Fenerbahçe" and show greater respect to the manager. The president's public refusal to accept the resignation marked a clear disagreement between coach and club leadership over Kartal's future at the organisation.