Two Turkish football clubs reject Coca-Cola sponsorship over Gaza
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- Two prominent Turkish Super League clubs, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor, turned down lucrative sponsorship offers from Coca-Cola, citing ethical concerns over the ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza.
- Beşiktaş explicitly linked its refusal to the sensitivities of Turkish society, while Trabzonspor's chairman stated his "heart did not allow" him to accept the agreement.
Two prominent Turkish Super League clubs, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor, have turned down lucrative sponsorship offers from Coca-Cola, citing ethical concerns over the ongoing ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza.
The decisions come amid widespread public sentiment in Turkey against companies perceived as supporting ‘Israel’ during its aggression.
Beşiktaş, one of Istanbul's "Big Three" clubs, explicitly linked their refusal to the situation in Gaza.
General Secretary Uğur Fora stated that the club did not find the agreement ethical, emphasizing that Beşiktaş's priority is always the sensitivities of Turkish society.
"What is happening is clear to everyone. Our fans also did not welcome such a deal," Fora said, adding that the club has "always stood on the side of conscience."
The sponsorship offer was reportedly worth around €1.25 million, similar to deals accepted by rivals Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray.
Trabzonspor, based in the Black Sea region, echoed similar sentiments in their rejection.
Chairman Ertuğrul Doğan confirmed the decision, telling reporters that the club declined the offer due to the evident events in Palestine and Gaza.
"My heart did not allow me to accept such an agreement," Doğan remarked.
In contrast, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray proceeded with the Coca-Cola sponsorships, each securing €1.25 million for the season.
The rejections are part of a larger boycott movement in Turkey against brands accused of backing ‘Israel’.
In 2023, Turkey's parliament removed such products from its restaurants, citing support for ‘Israel’.
