Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek has gained a direct voice in European football governance. He was unanimously elected to the Executive Committee of the European Football Clubs (EFC) association at its General Assembly in Copenhagen earlier this week, with all 138 member clubs voting in his favour.
The EFC is a key body representing over 800 clubs from 55 countries, involved in critical decisions including the organisation and revenue distribution of the UEFA Champions League. Özbek's election marks an expansion of Galatasaray's influence on the continental stage. The president revealed he attended the assembly following an invitation from UEFA President Nasser Al-Khelaifi. "We received an invitation from him. He asked me to come to the general assembly in Copenhagen. He invited me for the executive committee membership," Özbek said.
He shared that Al-Khelaifi had praised Galatasaray's significant investment in football and acknowledged the club's stature. Özbek emphasised that these discussions reinforced the club's reputation in Europe. He highlighted the Champions League revenue distribution system as a vital lever for the club's future growth. Stating that Galatasaray, which reached the round of 16 last season and finished 15th in that stage, needs to grow further to increase its standing.
Özbek believes his role within the EFC will bring significant benefits to Galatasaray. He noted the association values the club's opinions, calling the EFC "a very important organisation." He described the unanimous election as a source of pride and pledged to do everything possible as president to elevate Galatasaray further.
This development is a major off-field success for Galatasaray, who currently sit second in the Süper Lig with 13 points from 6 matches. With a recent form of three wins and two losses from their last five games, the team's next challenge is a home fixture against 8th-placed Kasımpaşa on October 9th at Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex. The club's early-season form and this new European representation provide optimism for future ambitions. The latest squad information and league standings are always available on our site.
More detail at Fotomac
