Adnan Polat sets date for Galatasaray election

Galatasaray will pick a new chairman on May 14, club president Adnan Polat announced Wednesday. Polat made the announcement at a press conference at Türk Telekom Arena and said the presidential elections for the club would be held at the club’s general convention in mid-May. “We are here because we love Galatasaray. We had no expectations but finishing what we’ve started,” Polat said during his emotional speech. “But in the current circumstances, going on would harm Galatasaray. ... We have decided to hold our general convention on May 14, 2011.” Polat was forced to step down following an unprecedented move in Galatasaray history. In the two-leg voting of a March 27 plenary session, the general board approved Polat’s financial policies, but voted against his administration. According to the club’s code, Polat had to step down as Galatasaray chairman and will not be permitted to run in new elections. Earlier Wednesday, sports television NTV Spor reported that the Polat administration forced a stay of execution from an Istanbul court but decided to go elections anyway even through the law was on its side. “It should be known that there are no legal obligations that force us to go to elections, but [the result of the plenary session] hurt our hearts,” said Polat.