Fenerbahce presidential candidate who promised Mason Greenwood and Luis Suarez admits defeat, attacks fans: ‘They live in the past’

Fenerbahce presidential candidate Hakan Safi has seen his raft of promises backfire.

Safi made a string of populist transfer claims, saying he’d sign Luis Suarez of Sporting, Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter Milan, Merih Demiral of Al Ahli and Mason Greenwood of Marseille.

However, he’s now admitted defeat in his campaign.

He also congratulated Aziz Yildirim who is expected to win.

In a statement, Safi also took aim at the supporters’ lack of forethought.

Fenerbahce election statement

“I promised significant investments and transfers to Fenerbahce,” he began.

“I said I had already signed the contracts for that. But, as you can see, the Fenerbahce community understands it differently.

“They like to live in the past, in the old days.

“Therefore, I also congratulate our opponent, President Aziz. I hope he succeeds.

“I will always be a soldier of Fenerbahce, at its service. Our community considered it appropriate and wanted it that way. Therefore, I thank everyone.”

Luis Suarez controversy

One of Safi’s transfer promises, that of striker Suarez, was shown up by Sporting CP president Frederico Varandas.

Speaking to CMTV about Safi’s claims, he said: “I don’t know the Fenerbahce presidential candidate, but we know his campaign manager very well.

“He lives in Porto, and we know him well, we’re already used to the playbook he and his friends use.

“And those dirty strategies don’t work at Sporting ; they ricochet, they go abroad.”

He then cited what he believes was a similar disruptive ploy in the winter window.

Varandas continued: “I remember very recently, on the last day of the winter transfer window, a news story came out about an alleged offer from Atlético Madrid for our captain Hjulmand.

“An offer that never existed, but we know where the news came from, who planted it, and, coincidentally, it came out a week before the FC Porto – Sporting game . A coincidence,” he said, clearly sarcastically.

Varandas then finished: “No Sporting player is immune to the transfer market, but I can also give you a guarantee: if that gentleman wins the elections, Suarez ‘s price will be 80 million euros, not a cent less.

“He doesn’t even need to talk to us, he just needs to make the payment.

“Regarding Suarez , he’s a great professional, he scored 38 goals and next year he’ll score 40.”