Istanbul – Former Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) executive Hamit Altıntop has publicly criticized Beşiktaş management, alleging they attempted to capitalize on the situation surrounding Semih Kılıçsoy’s national team call-ups in 2024. Altıntop claims the club’s actions were driven by a desire for publicity rather than genuine concern for the player or the technical staff.
The controversy centers on Kılıçsoy, now 18, who was initially called up to the Turkish senior national team before being subsequently moved to the U-21 squad. Altıntop, speaking on A Spor, asserted that certain Beşiktaş officials exploited the situation by making unsubstantiated claims to the media. He specifically refuted reports of alleged bullying and distress experienced by Kılıçsoy, stating that these narratives were fabricated.
“Semih Kılıçsoy was called up to the A National Team when he was 18 years old. As planned, he was sent to the U-21 National Team a few days later,” Altıntop explained. “Yet, some officials from Beşiktaş went to the media without communicating with us at all, claiming that Semih was being bullied and even crying. A story that wasn’t true was created, and both Montella and the player were put under suspicion.”
Altıntop emphasized that Kılıçsoy himself later clarified the situation, confirming that the reports of mistreatment were false. He believes the past two years have been detrimental to both the player’s development and the working relationship with then-manager Vincenzo Montella. The former international midfielder suggested the incident created unnecessary tension and distraction.
“Two years have passed, and Semih Kılıçsoy himself has come out and stated that the story was not as it was presented,” Altıntop continued. “These past two years have been a loss. This has similarly caused Montella to lose energy and concentration.”
The situation highlights a broader issue within Turkish football, where club interests sometimes appear to overshadow the well-being of players and the integrity of the national team program. Altıntop’s comments raise questions about the motivations behind Beşiktaş’s public statements and whether they were intended to deflect from other issues or simply generate positive media coverage.
Adding fuel to the fire, Altıntop noted that he continues to be a target of criticism from within the Beşiktaş community. He directly questioned whether the focus was truly on Kılıçsoy’s welfare or if it was a calculated attempt by certain individuals to enhance their own public profiles. “Even today, the Beşiktaş community is targeting Hamit Altıntop. Was the issue really Semih Kılıçsoy back then, or was it some officials trying to promote themselves?” he asked.
Beyond the Kılıçsoy affair, Altıntop also shed light on the process of selecting a new head coach for Beşiktaş, revealing that Vincenzo Montella was chosen over Abdullah Avcı due to a belief that he would be less susceptible to media and fan pressure. “In the technical director selection, we were left with a choice between Abdullah Avcı and Vincenzo Montella. We decided on a foreign coach and preferred Montella. We decided on the Montella preference because we knew he would not be exposed to media or fan pressure, and because he would not approach things too emotionally due to not understanding much,” Altıntop stated.
Altıntop also briefly touched upon a post-match interview following a game against the Faroe Islands, where he felt media narratives were misrepresenting the situation. He described the challenging conditions – minus 5 degrees Celsius and 50 kilometer per hour winds – and emphasized his concern about “media games” and the influence of certain individuals and groups. He also alluded to having consulted with several clubs in the past year, but found they were not interested in his input.
The former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid player expressed his continued commitment to Turkish football, stating his belief that he can contribute to its success. “I consulted with 4-5 clubs a year ago. I realized that the clubs did not seek to benefit from a friend like me. There was no need to push it further. I may not be involved in Turkish football in the future. If I played for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and represented Turkey, I firmly believe that I can definitely serve our country in the best way in football,” he concluded.
The fallout from Altıntop’s statements is likely to continue, with Beşiktaş fans and officials expected to respond to the accusations. The incident serves as a reminder of the complex dynamics within Turkish football and the potential for club politics to impact the national team program. For Semih Kılıçsoy, currently on loan at Cagliari in Serie A, the focus remains on his development and gaining consistent playing time as he navigates his burgeoning career.
Beşiktaş has not yet issued an official response to Altıntop’s claims as of Thursday, April 2, 2026. The club’s next Süper Lig match is scheduled for April 10th against Fenerbahçe, a fixture that will undoubtedly be scrutinized in light of these recent developments.
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