New Galatasaray signing Harry Kewell has defended his move to Istanbul, stressing it is not disrespectful to the two Leeds fans who were killed in the city eight years ago.
On Saturday the former Liverpool winger´s transfer to the Turkish club was confirmed, sparking criticism that he should have considered the deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight prior to their UEFA Cup semi-final with Galatasaray in 2000.
"My love and respect for Leeds United and what the club has done for me will never change, no matter what anyone says about me and whatever their motives are," said Kewell in an open letter to Leeds fans, sent to Sky Sports.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Blatter: Dogan's legacy will live on
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter has praised Hasan Dogan's contribution to football in a heartfelt letter after learning of his sudden death on Saturday.
The president of the Turkey FA suffered a heart attack during a lunchtime meeting with national team coach Fatih Terim and TFF board member Levent Kazil in Mugla and later died in hospital. He was 52.
His death came just over a week after Turkey's run to the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2008 and has left the FIFA President shocked and saddened by the news. However, Blatter believes that Dogan's legacy to the game of football will live on.
He wrote: "We will remember his vast experience and know-how, his determination to develop the game as well as his unique personality. Being a thorough idealist Hasan Dogan managed to position not only Turkish club football but also the Turkish national team on an international level in only a few months at the helm of the TFF.
"We will retain fond memories of an accomplished leader and an extraordinary man whose great human qualities ensured that he left an indelible mark on the game of football, not only in helping to develop football in Turkey but also around the world.".
Dogan was elected to the presidency of the TFF in February having previously worked as vice-president between 2004 and 2006. Flags at the home of FIFA in Zurich will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.
Source:Fifa
Turkey mourns as it bids farewell to its football federation chief
Hasan Dogan, the head of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), who died of a heart attack at the weekend, was laid to rest in Istanbul on Monday.
A ceremony was held to commemorate Dogan at the TFF facilities in Istanbul's Levent district. Hundreds, including many statesmen and sportsmen, attended the ceremony.
He was laid to rest after a funeral ceremony at Fatih Mosque.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan were among the attendees in the funeral ceremony.
Dogan, 52, died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack while holidaying in the southwest of Turkey. He was having a meal with national coach Fatih Terim in the popular resort of Bodrum when he was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Dogan, a prominent businessman, had been the head of the federation since February this year and last month saw the national team make it to the semi-finals of the Euro 2008 championships for the first time ever.
Dogan leaves behind a wife and two children.
WHO IS HASAN DOGAN?
Doğan, born in Kastamonu in 1956, was a graduate of mechanical engineering from Yıldız Technical University. He studied English in the United Kingdom, and worked in marketing before founding his own men's wear company in 1988. He was also a member of the Turkish Olympic Committee, or TMOK. Doğan served as president of the TFF for five months, having been elected to the post in February. Previously he had been vice president under Levent Bıçakcı between 2004 and 2006. His death comes little over a week after Turkey's superb run at EURO 2008 culminated in a thrilling semifinal against Germany.
WHO WILL TAKE HIS PLACE?..
Following Doğan's death, the TFF will now have to convene an emergency congress to elect a new chief. Article 7 of the TFF law stipulates that in case of death or resignation of the TFF president, a vice chairman or, if there are no vice chairmen, one of the board members becomes the acting president responsible for holding new elections in three months' time. Until the election, Lütfi Arıboğan or Mahmut Özgener will be the acting president.
Source:AA News
A ceremony was held to commemorate Dogan at the TFF facilities in Istanbul's Levent district. Hundreds, including many statesmen and sportsmen, attended the ceremony.
He was laid to rest after a funeral ceremony at Fatih Mosque.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Koksal Toptan were among the attendees in the funeral ceremony.
Dogan, 52, died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack while holidaying in the southwest of Turkey. He was having a meal with national coach Fatih Terim in the popular resort of Bodrum when he was hospitalized after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Dogan, a prominent businessman, had been the head of the federation since February this year and last month saw the national team make it to the semi-finals of the Euro 2008 championships for the first time ever.
Dogan leaves behind a wife and two children.
WHO IS HASAN DOGAN?
Doğan, born in Kastamonu in 1956, was a graduate of mechanical engineering from Yıldız Technical University. He studied English in the United Kingdom, and worked in marketing before founding his own men's wear company in 1988. He was also a member of the Turkish Olympic Committee, or TMOK. Doğan served as president of the TFF for five months, having been elected to the post in February. Previously he had been vice president under Levent Bıçakcı between 2004 and 2006. His death comes little over a week after Turkey's superb run at EURO 2008 culminated in a thrilling semifinal against Germany.
WHO WILL TAKE HIS PLACE?..
Following Doğan's death, the TFF will now have to convene an emergency congress to elect a new chief. Article 7 of the TFF law stipulates that in case of death or resignation of the TFF president, a vice chairman or, if there are no vice chairmen, one of the board members becomes the acting president responsible for holding new elections in three months' time. Until the election, Lütfi Arıboğan or Mahmut Özgener will be the acting president.
Source:AA News
Lucas Neill to Galatsaray?
Lucas Neill may follow Harry Kewell to Turkish giants Galatasaray, with reports the club is set to launch a massive bid for the West Ham defender.
Neill, who has taken the captain’s armband since joining West Ham from Blackburn, is on a bumper contract at the club worth around $170,000 a week.
But England’s Daily Mail newspaper reports the Hammers need to cut their wage bill, and could sell Neill after recruiting 17-year-old Icelandic defender Homar Orn Eyjolfsson.
The Mail suggests Galatasaray will launch a bid for Neill, but the player’s Australian agent Paddy Dominguez says Neill is unlikely to leave West Ham.
“It doesn’t make sense that a manager who brought Lucas to the club and has installed him as captain would look to sell him,” Dominguez told The Australian.
“It would be very strange. Lucas’ relationship with Alan Curbishley is good and he is relishing the role of captain.”
Meanwhile, more light has been shed on the reasons behind Kewell’s move to Galatasaray, which raised eyebrows after the attacking midfielder rejected offers from English Premier League club Portsmouth and Italian club Roma.
Kewell’s manager Bernie Mandic indicated the other clubs – also reported to include Scotland’s Celtic and Spain’s Valencia – had only offered contracts with specific injury clauses.
Kewell’s career has been dogged by injury since his switch from Leeds United to Liverpool in 2003.
“Galatasaray is the best club for him,” Mandic told News Limited. “Other clubs who were chasing him put up ridiculous health conditions.”
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Turkish football federation chief dies after heart attack
The head of the Turkish Football Federation died on Saturday after suffering a heart attack while vacationing in the southwest of Turkey, the federation said.
Hasan Dogan, 52, was having a meal with national coach Fatih Terim in the popular resort of Bodrum when he was hospitalized with a cardiac arrest, said a statement on the federation's Internet site.
Dogan,had been the head of the federation since February this year and last month saw the national team make it to the semi-finals of the Euro 2008 championships for the first time ever.
He was married with two children.
Source:Turkishpress
Friday, July 4, 2008
Aragones officially sign as Fenerbahce coach
ARAGONES TALKS TO FENERBAHCE TEAM CAPTAIN ALEX ...(Photos: Courtsy of Fenerbahce.org)
ARAGONES TALKS TO TEAM OFFICIAL MAHMUT USLU......
Former Spain coach Luis Aragones had a three-hour meeting with Fenerbahce officials on Friday.
Aragones is expected to finalize a two-year coaching contract with Fenerbahce ahead of an official signing ceremony on Saturday.
The 69-year-old Aragones also toured the Istanbul club's Sukru Saracoglu stadium.
"I will direct the matches in the best possible way with calm," the club's official Web site quoted Aragones as saying. "As Fenerbahce, we are aiming to win all of the titles in all competitions."
Vicente del Bosque is expected to take over Spain after Aragones' decision to leave despite leading the country to the European Championship title, its first major trophy in 44 years.
ARAGONES TALKS TO TEAM OFFICIAL MAHMUT USLU......
Former Spain coach Luis Aragones had a three-hour meeting with Fenerbahce officials on Friday.
Aragones is expected to finalize a two-year coaching contract with Fenerbahce ahead of an official signing ceremony on Saturday.
The 69-year-old Aragones also toured the Istanbul club's Sukru Saracoglu stadium.
"I will direct the matches in the best possible way with calm," the club's official Web site quoted Aragones as saying. "As Fenerbahce, we are aiming to win all of the titles in all competitions."
Vicente del Bosque is expected to take over Spain after Aragones' decision to leave despite leading the country to the European Championship title, its first major trophy in 44 years.
Kewell joins Galatasaray!....
KEWELL IS IN ISTANBUL......
Australia international Harry Kewell has signed a three-year contract with Turkish champions Galatasaray, the club have claimed.
However, there remains some confusion over the conclusion of the deal as Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic has said the announcement is premature.
The 29-year-old turned down a contract offer with Liverpool in May and entered the current transfer window as a free agent, with many clubs across Europe chasing his services.
Kewell was linked with Portsmouth, Fulham, Celtic and Roma but Galatasaray have announced his signing on their website.
Mandic, though, insists that nothing has been finalised.
'We have not finalised a deal for Harry and it's down to two possibilities,' he told Australian FourFourTwo.
'People will be notified if and when Harry decides on one of the options which may be around noon on Saturday European time.
'We will not make any other comments until then.'
Source:Wires
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