While discussions about the number of foreign players in the championship have temporarily subsided in our country, though not entirely, in Turkey, tension on the topic erupted with full force on the eve of the Champions League Final Four. The topic was raised at yesterday's press conference before the start of the tournament, where a representative from volleyweek.bg was also present.
The President of the Turkish Volleyball Federation, Mehmet Akif Üstündağ, categorically stated:"We will not allow a fourth foreign player while I and my team are in power."💥

The statement was prompted by public criticism from Italian coach Giovanni Guidetti, who questioned the restrictions on the number of foreign players in the Turkish Sultanlar Lig. Üstündağ reacted sharply:
"He wasn't complaining when he was in charge of the national team. Now we will not allow a change because our successes are undeniable – European title, Nations League, historic qualification for the Olympics. This is a result of our current system."

🎯 Interestingly, similar ideas periodically emerge in Bulgaria as well – and there are clubs here that secretly or openly would welcome a liberalization of the rule regarding the number of foreign players. But for now, there are no prospects for this, because, as many specialists point out,"Pandora's box will be opened". More foreign players on the court means fewer chances for local talents to play, and that would be detrimental to the long-term development of Bulgarian volleyball. 🚫

🗣 Turkey already has three elite clubs in the Champions League and ambitions for a fourth next season, but even there, a battle must be waged to preserve identity. For us, this example is more than instructive – without clear boundaries and a balance between development and competition, the path to progress turns into a runway for foreigners... without a stop.