Galatasaray won’t share Arena with rivals

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

Galatasaray’s Öztürk rejects the idea of sharing a stadium with rival Beşiktaş. AA photo

Galatasaray does not want to share its stadium Türk Telekom Arena with Beşiktaş as renovations are made on the rival’s İnönü Stadium, Vice Chairman Adnan Öztürk said.

Beşiktaş aims to start renovations of its historic İnönü Stadium this season and is looking for a stadium to play its games at during the reconstruction, but Galatasaray, who is still adapting to its one-and-a-half-year-old stadium, categorically rejected the request.

“As far as I can understand, Youth and Sports General Directorate (GSGM) wants to push Beşiktaş to Türk Telekom Arena, but our answer is clear: No!,” Öztürk said to NTV Spor channel. “While we are working to bring the [former stadium] Ali Sami Yen’s warm atmosphere to the Arena, it is impossible to share it with Beşiktaş, although we have no problems with them.”

Öztürk added that according to the contract signed with the state, the final decision on the issue is up to Galatasaray.

“It is clear in the contract: the stadium is not open to use without Galatasaray’s consent,” Öztürk said.