The president of the nation’s governing body of football has officially resigned.
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president Yildirim Demiroren announced his resignation on Thursday.
The controversial figure, who was president of Besiktas several years ago, has been charge of Turkish football’s governing body since February 26, 2012.
His resignation comes amid mounting criticism over his participation and bid to control Turkey’s only legal sports betting company, Iddaa.
In his statement released to the public, Demiroren said he was officially resigning from the position after seven years, now that his company, Demiroren Holding, has taken control of Iddaa.
Demiroren said he was leaving as not to overshadow Turkish football or give rise to new disputes, thanking his fellow TFF board members, current and past sports ministers, team coaches, players, the sports community and media for providing their full support. He also thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan especially for his faith in him and continuous support.
TFF Vice President Husnu Gureli will take over until the new president is elected this summer in June 2019.
Many in Turkey argued it was wrong for someone chosen to represent Turkish football to get involved in the business side of the sector, calling the bidding by Demiroren’s conglomerate “unethical.”
Sans Girism, owned by Demiroren, and its U.S.-based partner Scientific Games won the bid to operate the betting platform two weeks ago, after offering to take 0.2 percent of revenues in Iddaa.
Soon after Demiroren’s resignation and clearing of a potential ethical hurdle before the country’s Competition Authority (RK), the Sports Lottery Organization Presidency (Spor Toto) announced that the 10-year tender is awarded to the Sans Girisim venture.
The Demiroren Group, in which Demiroren serves as board chairman, is active in the energy, mining, manufacturing, construction, tourism and real estate sectors.