Kartal resigned, the president said no
İsmail Kartal walked out of his own press conference. Fenerbahçe had just drawn 1–1 with Roma in their first Champions League match in 18 years, and the coach announced he was quitting. "Jag säger upp mig och jag kommer aldrig mer återvända," he said (1).
Aziz Yildirim was not having it. The president said Kartal stays in his job. "Eu sou o superior dele, eu disse para ele continuar e pronto. Somos uma família," Yildirim said (2) (3) (15).
The club now has one coach who resigned and one president who refused it. Kartal is still in charge, per Yildirim (17).
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A bottle hit Kartal during the match
Yildirim confirmed the story: some fans threw a bottle at Kartal during the Roma match. It hit him in the head, and Yildirim said the coach is upset about it (9) (12). That incident sits at the centre of what happened after the whistle (16).
Your team should have won it
Roma led through Bryan Cristante. Archie Brown equalised (7) (8). Hürriyet's writers went further and said Fenerbahçe deserved the win, with the applause going to Kartal (11).
Gasperini took the point and moved on. "Non è facile in questo ambiente," the Roma coach said (7). Roma are back in the Champions League after seven years (7) (16).
Brown heard the news mid-interview
Archie Brown was speaking to reporters when word of Kartal's resignation reached him. The Englishman was visibly surprised (13).
Çelikler: he cannot even resign on his own
Pundit Serdar Ali Çelikler went in hard on Kartal's decision. "Kendi başına istifa bile edemiyor," he said (14).
Kone a doubt for Roma
Manu Kone came off in the second half with a knee problem. Roma will monitor him (16).
Gaziantep away is next
You go to Gaziantep FK on Monday, September 14, 19:00 CEST (fixtures). After four league games you sit 9th on 6 points, with two wins and two losses. Form reads L W W L D across the last five. Then Eyupspor at home on Sunday, September 20 (fixtures).
