Fenerbahce coach Kartal quits but president says he stays

Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal announced his resignation at a post-match press conference on Thursday after his side drew 1-1 with Roma in their Champions League opener at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, but club President Aziz Yildirim immediately insisted the 65-year-old remains in charge. "I am resigning from my position as of this evening," Kartal told reporters. "I have made this decision to clear the way for my club." He added that he had resigned "while there is still time, so that I can help my beloved Fenerbahce, my players and the coaches who will come after me," saying he was leaving "never to return." Shortly afterward, Yildirim told reporters that Kartal would stay. "Ismail Kartal remains in charge. But the entire Fenerbahce community should stand behind the coach," the president said. He attributed the coach's emotional state to an incident during the match, saying a bottle had been thrown at Kartal's head. "As long as I am here, Ismail Kartal is the head coach. He cannot leave until I leave." Yildirim also defended the club's progress, noting that Fenerbahce had achieved their objective of qualifying for the Champions League under Kartal.