Turkish motorsport is gearing up for a landmark weekend as Deniz Öncü returns to the track following his historic Moto2 win, and Kadir Erbay readies for his international debut in the Spanish Superbike Championship.

Öncü, 21, heads to Italy’s legendary Mugello Circuit looking to back up his groundbreaking victory at the Aragon Grand Prix earlier this month, where he edged out the win by a mere 0.003 seconds – the closest finish in Moto2 history. It was a watershed moment for Turkish motorcycling, and the Red Bull KTM Ajo rider now aims to prove it wasn’t a one-off.

“I’ve got good memories here,” Öncü said ahead of Sunday’s 19-lap race. “We’ve been working on setup since Barcelona and feel confident heading into Mugello.”

Racing on a Boscoscuro chassis with a Triumph 765cc triple, Öncü enters the ninth round of the Moto2 World Championship with growing momentum, bolstered by recent test data and a chassis setup focused on late-race tire management.

The Mugello circuit, known for its 1.1-kilometer straight and punishing elevation shifts, promises a stiff challenge – but also a chance for Öncü to cement his place among the class’s elite.

His 2025 season marks a breakout campaign after years of grinding in Moto3, where he earned respect but never cracked the top step.

Mentored by Turkish racing legends Kenan Sofuoğlu and Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Öncü’s trajectory is now closely watched across the paddock.

Turkish fans, still buzzing from his Aragon triumph, will again tune in via S Sport for Sunday’s race, scheduled for 1:15 p.m. local time.

Meanwhile, Kadir Erbay, another product of Türkiye’s fast-growing motorsport system, is set to make his mark in Spain.

The 600cc Supersport rider will line up at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in the ESBK’s Next Generation category, riding for Spain’s I+DENT Racing team in what will be his debut in the series.

A relative newcomer to the international scene, Erbay has climbed through domestic championships and now faces a double-header weekend – Race 1 on Saturday at 4:40 p.m., Race 2 on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (local times).

His Yamaha R6 will go toe-to-toe with a competitive grid featuring top Spanish and European talent.

Though his racing resume remains modest, the TMF sees Erbay as a rider with potential.

With strong performances in Barcelona, he could stake a claim for further international starts, joining the growing wave of Turkish riders moving beyond national borders.

Öncü and Erbay are part of a generation shaped by Sofuoğlu’s Supersport dynasty and Razgatlıoğlu’s Superbike reign.

That legacy now fuels Türkiye’s presence across racing classes – from grassroots circuits to MotoGP-bound stars.

With TMF support and growing visibility, the country’s footprint in two-wheeled motorsport has never been larger.

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After a decade of success in para-swimming, 22-year-old Turkish athlete Esra Nisa Özkılsız is making a name for herself in powerlifting, with her sights now firmly set on qualifying for the 2028 Paralympic Games.

Özkılsız, who began swimming at age 10 and amassed 90 medals – including multiple national titles – made the switch to powerlifting two years ago on her coach’s recommendation.

Since then, she has added two more national medals to her tally and quickly established herself as one of Türkiye’s rising stars in the sport.

At the Turkish National Championships for Physically Disabled Youth and Seniors held in Kırıkkale on Tuesday, Özkılsız claimed silver in the 41 kg. weight class after lifting 77 kg.

The performance marked her 92nd career medal and highlighted her rapid progression in a new discipline.

“I’ve been told I couldn’t succeed, but I’ve always turned those words into motivation,” Özkılsız told Anadolu Agency (AA). “I want to represent Türkiye at the 2028 Olympics and raise our flag high.”

She initially took up swimming after being advised by another disabled female athlete to strengthen her bones and improve her posture. For 10 years, she dominated national competitions but was unable to gather enough international points to qualify for global events.

Recognizing her physical potential for lifting, her coach recommended a switch to powerlifting. The results came fast: in 2023, she won the national title in Ankara by lifting 65 kg.

This year, she added 12 kg. to her best to take second in Kırıkkale.

“I believe the best is yet to come,” she said. “I train three hours a day and I’m fully focused on qualifying for international championships.”

Coach Ali İhsan Güneş praised her commitment and discipline, describing her as a “positive and promising athlete” with the potential to shine on the world stage.

“She’s consistent, never misses training, and has the mindset of a champion,” Güneş said. “We’re confident she can earn a spot at the Paralympics by collecting the necessary international points.”

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Turkish Süper Lig giants Fenerbahçe have filed a formal complaint with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), demanding a full investigation into leaked private messages allegedly written by members of the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK).

The club claims the messages, which surfaced earlier this week, expose a hostile and biased tone among PFDK officials toward certain teams, including Fenerbahçe itself, raising serious concerns about the impartiality of Turkish football’s most powerful disciplinary body.

Allegations of bias

The scandal centers on leaked messages reportedly exchanged by PFDK members, though the content has not yet been made public in full.

Reports by Turkish media suggest the communications include language that reflects personal grudges, favoritism, and a desire to target specific clubs unfairly.

While the TFF has not officially responded, the leaks have reignited long-standing suspicions over bias within the disciplinary system, especially from Fenerbahçe supporters who view the PFDK as repeatedly acting against their club’s interests.

In a statement issued June 18, 2025, and signed by General Secretary Burak Kızılhan, Fenerbahçe accused the PFDK of violating fundamental principles of impartiality and called for immediate action from the TFF.

“If these allegations are accurate,” the club stated, “the impartiality of the committee is compromised, the credibility of the federation is damaged, and the disciplinary system itself becomes meaningless.”

The club is urging the TFF to open both administrative and disciplinary investigations into the leaked communications and to pursue any individuals found responsible.

Pattern of conflict

Fenerbahçe’s complaint is the latest episode in a turbulent history with the TFF.

The club has repeatedly voiced frustration over what it sees as inconsistent and politically motivated disciplinary rulings.

In March 2025, Fenerbahçe publicly challenged the three-match suspension handed to striker Edin Dzeko for dissent – a penalty they argued was disproportionately harsh compared to similar incidents involving rival teams.

The current controversy builds on that perceived pattern of unfair treatment.

This isn’t new territory for the club.

Fenerbahçe was at the heart of the 2011 match-fixing scandal, which led to major sanctions and a prolonged legal fight that still colors their relationship with Turkish football authorities.

What’s at stake

The PFDK holds significant authority, issuing penalties for infractions ranging from player misconduct to crowd disturbances. In a football environment where passion often spills over into chaos, these decisions can alter title races, tarnish reputations, or calm tensions, depending on how they’re handled.

But the leaked messages, if authenticated, could cast a long shadow over that authority.

A 2024 poll by Sporx found that 62% of Turkish football fans believe the TFF favors certain clubs.

This scandal threatens to turn skepticism into open distrust, prompting calls for structural reform within the federation’s disciplinary framework.

Possible repercussions

As of Wednesday, the TFF had yet to comment publicly on Fenerbahçe’s complaint.

However, sources suggest that the federation’s Disciplinary Inspection Board may soon launch an internal review, potentially including forensic analysis of digital data to verify the messages’ origins.

Should the allegations be substantiated, PFDK members could face suspension or removal.

The federation may also be forced to consider reforms aimed at transparency, such as publishing detailed disciplinary rulings or introducing external oversight.

The TFF now finds itself in a precarious position.

Dismissing Fenerbahçe’s concerns risks escalating tensions with one of its most influential members.

But acknowledging bias within its own disciplinary body could open the door to widespread discontent and legitimacy crises among other Süper Lig powerhouses, including Galatasaray, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor.

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Aryna Sabalenka revealed she has written to Coco Gauff to apologize for the “unprofessional” comments she made after losing to the American in the French Open final.

Speaking to Eurosport Germany, the world No. 1 admitted she was wrong to downplay Gauff’s victory following her 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 defeat at Roland Garros, where she had attributed the outcome more to her own mistakes than to Gauff’s performance.

“That was just completely unprofessional of me,” Sabalenka said. “I let my emotions get the better of me. I absolutely regret what I said back then. You know, we all make mistakes. I’m just a human being who’s still learning in life. I think we all have those days when we lose control. But what I also want to say is that I wrote to Coco afterward – not immediately, but recently.”

Sabalenka hit 37 winners but finished the final with 70 unforced errors, compared to Gauff’s 30.

She said she wrote to Gauff to apologize and “make sure she knew she absolutely deserved to win the tournament and that I respect her.”

“I never intended to attack her,” Sabalenka added. “I was super emotional and not very smart at that press conference. I’m not necessarily grateful for what I did. It took me a while to go back and think about it, to approach it with open eyes, and to understand. I realized a lot about myself. Why did I lose so many finals?”

Sabalenka, a three-time major champion, also lost to Gauff in the 2023 U.S. Open final, where she also won the first set.

“I kept getting so emotional,” Sabalenka added. “So I learned a lot. Above all, one thing: I’m the one who always treats my opponents with great respect, whether I win or lose. Without that respect, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So it was a tough but very valuable lesson for me.”

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Not even Saudi Arabia’s vast riches or Gianni Infantino’s coaxing could engineer a Cristiano Ronaldo cameo at the Club World Cup. Still, the oil-rich kingdom’s ambition is stamped all over the tournament – and the game itself.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made the pitch himself. In an interview with YouTuber iShowSpeed last month, he dangled a tantalizing prospect: “If any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup” The bait was clear. The path was open.

Ronaldo’s contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr was due to expire, and FIFA’s decision to create a specially made mini transfer window for its newest competition meant the path was clear for the Real Madrid great to sign a short-term deal with a new team just in time to take part.

Given his connection to Saudi Arabia, where he became the face of the kingdom’s high-profile push to sign some of football’s biggest stars in recent years, rumors swirled about a move to Al Hilal, the country’s most successful team and sole representative at the Club World Cup.

The problem: Al Hilal and Al-Nassr are cross-city rivals in Riyadh. And even if Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund holds a majority stake in both clubs, along with others, that was a step too far.

“As much as I respect Ronaldo as a huge player, as we all recognize he is, it’s certainly completely counterintuitive that you bring the biggest player of your biggest opponent to play with you,” Al Hilal Chief Executive Esteve Calzada told the BBC. “Even more when it’s only for three to four weeks.”

Maybe so, but Saudi Arabia, with its vast wealth, has made a habit of turning the improbable into the possible. And the very fact the prospect of a short-term move between clubs was even rumored points to the boundaries it has pushed in its effort to become a global sports force.

After all, it has already changed the face of golf and virtually cornered the market for big-time boxing. Formula One is a fixture, and top-tier tennis has been lured as well.

Its ambitions in football have been the most spectacular – securing the rights to host the 2034 World Cup, purchasing one of the Premier League’s iconic teams in Newcastle United, and attracting a stream of superstar players to a domestic league that lacks the stature of its European and South American counterparts.

Most recently, it played a role in funding the Club World Cup – directly or indirectly – through a reported $1 billion investment in tournament broadcaster DAZN and a commercial partnership with FIFA, which has offered a $1 billion prize pool for participating teams.

The Club World Cup is Saudi Arabia’s latest opportunity to make a statement on the international stage – its first chance to test an elite club against the global elite, beginning with 15-time European champion Real Madrid at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday.

That’s why it’s surprising there wasn’t a more aggressive push to furnish Al Hilal with another marquee signing, as Saudi clubs have done since Ronaldo’s move opened the floodgates in late 2022.

The four-time Asian champion even released Brazil great Neymar in January after an ACL injury limited him to just seven appearances following his $94 million move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

A move was made for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes just before the Club World Cup, but the Portugal midfielder declined. There was also reported interest in Victor Osimhen and Darwin Núñez, though no major deals were finalized before the team flew out to the United States.

“The club is working in order to improve the team, and I believe this will be done. Now it’s pointless to talk about market because the market is closed,” coach Simone Inzaghi said Tuesday.

Still, he has plenty of big-money imports to call upon, including Aleksandar Mitrović, João Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly and Rúben Neves.

But the biggest acquisition ahead of the tournament was Inzaghi himself, who left Italian giant Inter Milan earlier this month to become arguably the most high-profile coach to join the Saudi project.

“My ambition, the ambition of the club, is to try to grow more, to try to make Al Hilal become one of the best football clubs,” he said. “I believe the time has come to get out of my comfort zone.”

In a sense, Saudi Arabia is shaking football out of its comfort zone.

Madrid vs. Al Hilal could be viewed as a clash of football’s old money versus a seemingly unstoppable disrupter.

Madrid remains the game’s biggest powerhouse – its most successful and storied team. But the sport is witnessing an undeniable power shift, and Saudi Arabia is a coming force.

“Sometimes we just focus on what’s going on in Europe, and we think there’s nothing else beyond Europe. We’re too focused on Europe,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said.

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Fiorentina have reached an agreement with veteran striker Edin Dzeko on a two-year contract, bringing the 39-year-old back to Serie A after his recent spell in Türkiye with Fenerbahçe.

The Bosnian international, who became a free agent following the 2024-25 season, is set to earn 2 million euros ($2.3 million) annually, with performance-based bonuses included.

An official signing is expected in the coming days following medical examinations, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Journey across Europe

Dzeko’s career has spanned nearly two decades and multiple leagues, showcasing his consistency, adaptability and goal-scoring instinct.

He made his professional debut with Zeljeznicar Sarajevo in 2003 before moving to Teplice in Czechia, where his rise caught the attention of German side Wolfsburg.

In the 2008-09 season, he played a pivotal role in their Bundesliga title win, earning him a move to Manchester City in 2011.

During his four and a half years in England, Dzeko scored critical goals, including during the dramatic final day of the 2011-12 Premier League season, and helped City claim two league titles.

In 2015, he transferred to Roma, initially on loan, and went on to become one of the club’s most influential players. Over six seasons, he scored 119 goals in 260 appearances, wore the captain’s armband, and solidified his reputation as a top-tier striker.

A move to Inter Milan followed in 2021, where Dzeko added another Serie A title and a Coppa Italia to his résumé. He then joined Fenerbahçe in 2023.

Fenerbahçe spell

Despite his age, Dzeko remained an effective forward in the Turkish Süper Lig, scoring 21 goals and registering seven assists in 53 appearances during the 2024-25 season.

He was a central figure in Fenerbahçe’s attack under İsmail Kartal, contributing in both domestic and European matches with his experience and technical quality.

Though the team missed out on the league title, Dzeko’s leadership and professionalism drew praise from both fans and club officials.

What Fiorentina gain

By securing Dzeko’s signature, Fiorentina hope to add a proven scorer and experienced leader to their lineup.

The club, which finished mid-table last season, is aiming for a push toward European qualification.

Dzeko brings Serie A experience, tactical intelligence, and a strong locker-room presence to manager Vincenzo Italiano’s project.

The contract reflects Fiorentina’s confidence in Dzeko’s ability to contribute at a high level, even in the later stages of his career.

It’s a strategic move for a club looking to blend youth with experience, and Dzeko offers both scoring pedigree and mentorship potential.

With over 600 career appearances and more than 300 goals for club and country, Dzeko remains one of the most respected forwards in European football. His return to Italy marks not just a homecoming, but an opportunity to close his career on familiar soil – in a league where he once thrived.

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