Initially, the Turkish federation was to organize the final of the top interclub event, 2 years ago, but the covid pandemic changed its schedule and took it back. Gaziantep-born Büyükekşi (10 May 1961) , a graduate of two universities in architecture, business and English language, has been a member of many business associations, and is currently a board member at the Ziylan Group, a company which specialises in manufacturing footwear.

He emphasised the need to raise the brand value of the Turkish Super League to have a profitable product, especially in other countries. “We aim to get the clubs out of a debt spiral,” Büyükekşi said, “We need to take some measures about this and have a brand new approach.”

Coordination with clubs vital

Underlining the necessity to work closely with Türkiye’s clubs, the new TFF president added: “We aim to establish a League Coordination Board in which a representative from the clubs can be present. I also have a positive approach to requests to establish a Reserve League. We hope to launch this in the 2022/23 season.”

But now everything is ready as Mr. Buyukeksi says:

"We are ready. We attach great importance to security, we cooperate very well with UEFA and everything runs smoothly. We are optimistic that the final will be held without any problems and the people who will watch it either live or on TV will be satisfied..

DF: What is it that you as the new management aim to change?.

"Transparency for the national team. Then we will help refereeing go better because last year there were a lot of complaints. Two hours after each game the federation will have received a full report from the referees for each game. And then the refereeing consultant, Scot Hugh Dallas, will appear on TV and commentate every week on the Super League games."

DF: Tell us a little bit about how you are planning the change in refereeing?.

"We want there to be balance in the teams and transparency. Thus, the arbitration committee, which is made up of 9 members, the president and the vice-president, will separate the referees from those who deal with the VAR. Then the subscription channel BeinSports which covers the games of the league with its adviser, Hugh Dallas will analyze the games as I said above..Mr Dallas succeeds Jaap Willenberg..”

DF: Is Mr. Dallas paid by the federation?.

"Yes  Mr. Dallas is paid by Turkish Federation".

European championship claim 2028 or 2032.

- Will Turkey again claim the final stage of the European Championship in 2028 or 2032, so tell us about it?.

"We will once again apply for a top competition such as the European Championship in 2028 or 2032. So far we have lost three times (2008, 2016, 2024). Now we will be better prepared. We have magnificent stadiums, the largest airport which is a hub for all air travel and magnificent structures. In Istanbul alone we have 4 modern and modern stadiums. While throughout the country there are 40 modern stadiums with an average of 35,000 spectators and some have a capacity of 70,000. Then the tourists who visit us are over 15 million. We are a tourist country and their stay is very pleasant. We have wonderful places like you know Antalya, Bodrum. Of course we also have the support of President Erdogan".

DF: What is believed to be the reason for the not particularly good appearance of your teams in European competitions in recent years, as well as the Turkish national team of course...

"The main reason is that the Arabs who have entered football and bought teams has changed the balance. They make great transfers by getting the best footballers and create very strong teams... Of course you should not forget that in the past we had success with Galatasaray in the UEFA cup, but also with the national team in the World Cup of South Korea with Japan".

DF: This year the World Cup will be held in a completely different season, in small but beautiful Qatar. How much will this help football, which opens up a new market?.

"It will definitely be a different winter. But it does not open a new market, as Qatar imports more things than exports. Dubai does export.”

DF: The World Cup, which will logically be Messi's last, do you think the time has come for him to conquer it?.

"Difficult, as he has tried in the past, but we can't say anything from now, about who will win the trophy.."

For Ukraine

Mr. Buyukeksi continues: "In Antalya we host children from Ukraine, while its teams have played several friendly games with ours. President Erdogan plays an important mediating role in Russia-Ukraine relations with the aim of ending the crisis. He has even invited Putin and Zelensky to come here to talk…”

DF: Maybe at some point UEFA and FIFA should put a limit on the participation of foreign footballers, so that the children of each country are also promoted to strengthen their national team?.

"If everyone approves, we have no objection. I wish something like that would happen.."

DF: Do you think that there could be a joint candidacy between Turkey and Greece for one again?.

"It has happened in the past. In 2008 together we claimed the final phase of the European championship. Then we didn't look at it again. Maybe if there are the right conditions it will be an opportunity..."

DF: Tell us about women's football, which is developing rapidly all over the world, what is happening in Turkey?

"We have made important steps. We have 24 teams in the Super League with Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor, Galatasaray and Besiktas having their own team. We have 4 categories Super League, 1st category, 2nd category and 3rd category. There is great quality in women and surely the future belongs to them..."