Mustafa Denizli

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has finalized its nominations for mayoral candidates across İzmir province, including both the metropolitan municipality and its districts, in preparation for the upcoming elections.

As part of its extensive social research project the "Shared Values Movement," Doğan Holding has published details of the answers given by various Turkish public figures to the initiative's main question: "What do we all share?" 

Galatasaray's German forward, Lukas Podolski, is considering leaving Turkey following March 13's terrorist attack in Ankara, which left at least 37 dead.

Podolski, who moved to the Istanbul-based club from Arsenal on a three-year contract last summer, told German daily Bild that he is now considering leaving Turkey given the political situation in the country.

The top football authority in Europe, UEFA, has banned Turkey's Galatasaray from continental cups for one year after the Istanbul side failed to fulfill the financial fair play requirements. 

The ban will be valid from the first year that Galatasaray, now 16 points behind leader Fenerbahçe in the Spor Toto Super League, gains the right to join a European cup. 

Galatasaray, which lost 2-0 against lowly Gaziantepspor over the weekend and is now 16 points behind Turkish Super League leaders Fenerbahçe, announced yesterday that it has part ways with coach Mustafa Denizli. 

The Lions were also knocked out of the Europa League last week.  

Be?ikta? was crowned the winter champion in the Turkish Super League as the first half of the title race concluded over the weekend, with city rival Galatasaray struggling to stay in the race.

The Black Eagles beat Torku Konyaspor 4-0 at home with all goals coming in the second half on Dec. 27, while a dismal Galatasaray was held to a 1-1 draw at Kayserispor.

Galatasaray faltered in its first game under new coach Mustafa Denizli on Nov. 29, being held to a 2-2 draw by Kas?mpa?a despite leading twice.

Spor Toto Super League leader Be?ikta? also dropped points on Nov. 29, losing 2-0 to high-flying Akhisar Belediye, while another title favorite, Fenerbahçe, was to play Trabzonspor in the week's final game late on Nov. 30.

Defending Spor Toto Super League champion Galatasaray will play its first game under its new coach on Nov. 29 when it makes a short trip to city rival Kas?mpa?aspor.

Mustafa Denizli signed a one-and-a-half year contract with the Istanbul club on Nov. 26 and is ready to lead the troubled team against Kas?mpa?a.

Atletico Madrid eased through to the Champions League round of 16 with a game to spare and eliminated Galatasaray when Antoine Griezmann's double secured a 2-0 win at home over the Turkish side in Group C on Nov. 25. 

Galatasaray is going through turbulent times and now must play a win-or-die game on Nov. 24 when it travels to Spain for a Champions League Group C match against Atletico Madrid.