Turkish Clubs Reject Coca-Cola Sponsorship Amidst Gaza Conflict
Istanbul, Turkey – Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor have declined sponsorship offers from Coca-Cola, citing ethical concerns related to the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Gaza. The decisions, announced November 27, 2025, mark a rare instance of Turkish football clubs publicly rejecting significant commercial deals on moral grounds.
The rejections come as Coca-Cola, through its Turkish branch COCA-COLA İÇECEK A.Ş., reportedly sought to sponsor four of Turkey’s major football clubs. While Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are reported to have reached an agreement with the beverage company - a claim supported by journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu on X (formerly Twitter) – Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor opted to forgo the financial benefits. This decision underscores a growing trend of athletes and organizations worldwide taking stances on geopolitical issues.
Trabzonspor club president explained the decision, stating, “What happened in Palestine and Gaza is clear. I did not have the heart for such an agreement.” Beşiktaş Club General secretary Uğur Fora echoed this sentiment, saying, “We did not accept such an agreement as we did not find it ethical. As Beşiktaş, our priority is always the sensitivity of our society, what happened is obvious.”
Neither COCA-COLA İÇECEK A.Ş. nor Galatasaray or Fenerbahçe have issued official statements regarding the sponsorships on the public Disclosure Platform as of this report.
OFFICIAL | coca-Cola sponsored Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. ✅ pic.twitter.com/RqV2MxaGHn
– Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) November 27, 2025
