The Istanbul Rams ownership group has informed European League of Football officials led by CEO Zeljko Karajica and commissioner Patrick Esume that the franchise will not field a team in the 2023 season due to the overall difficult sporting and economic situation.

“We regret this decision very much, but we have to accept it. The owners of the Istanbul Rams have presented their situation to us in trusting and partnership-based discussions. Unfortunately, they had no choice but to make the difficult decision and renounce participation in the 2023 season,” general manager Zeljko Karajica commented.

“I know that the movers and shakers at the Istanbul Rams have done everything they could in recent weeks to create the conditions for a start. But it would not have been possible to put together a powerful and competitive team at this high level. In the 2023 season, 17 franchises from nine nations will be competing in the European League of Football,” commissioner Patrick Esume elaborated.