Melih Gökçek, who was dismissed from his post as mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality due to ‘mental fatigue’, targeted Ebrar Karakurt.
After the final, he shared a post saying, “Let it be known that we don't have a single step back on Ebrar... The Tanzimat leftovers who insult Sultan Abdülhamid should have no place in the national team.”.
Güntekin Onay, a sports anchor at beIN Sports, reacted harshly to Gökçek's post.
This country is disgusted with you! As a citizen, I'm disgusted too! No one can usurp the rights of this citizen.
- Güntekin Onay (@guntekin_resmi) September 3, 2023
Onay's posts in question are as follows:
“I think the opinions of a certain and bigoted group of people are unnecessarily taken too seriously in this country. I think at least -98 of Turkey is happy and proud of the success of our volleyball players! There is no need for polemics, don't take 3-5 misfits and ignoramuses seriously! Celebrate the championship!
Melih Gökçek! What do you do? It's not clear how you make money! Corruption allegations are through the roof! What do you do for a living? We would be very happy if you could explain it to the public? Let's wait! Let those who are afraid of you be like you, write! How did you get rich? Who are you? This country is disgusted by you! As a citizen, I'm disgusted too! No one can usurp the rights of this citizen.
My close friends are sending me messages saying “Be careful”! If I am going to be careful because of Melih Gökçek, we are all on our way anyway. If Melih Gökçek sends me to prison, there will be a revolution of justice in this country.
Please, if you care about the laborers, civil servants and poor people of this country, keep quiet! Enough, Mr. Gökçek!
If Melih Gökçek sends me to jail, there will be a revolution of justice in this country.”