London Deputy Mayor's Football Claims Under Scrutiny: Did Mete Coban MBE Fabricate a Career?
A storm is brewing in London after allegations surfaced questioning the footballing credentials of Mete Coban MBE, the £148,000-a-year deputy to Mayor Sadiq Khan. Coban, 32, has faced intense scrutiny regarding claims he made about a supposed stellar football career, specifically alleging he was on the verge of signing for Real Madrid after years spent with Inter Milan. These claims are now being widely disputed, raising serious questions about his integrity and potentially impacting his position within the Greater London Authority.
The Allegations: A Career of False Starts?
The controversy began with an investigation by The Mail on Sunday, which uncovered inconsistencies in Coban's accounts of his footballing past. He previously told schools and community groups about his time playing for Inter Milan’s youth academy and hinted at a potential transfer to Real Madrid. However, investigations by the newspaper revealed no record of him ever playing for either club. Sources within Inter Milan confirmed they had no record of Coban playing for them at any level.
A Prominent Figure in London Politics
Mete Coban’s role as deputy mayor isn’t insignificant. He’s been a key figure in the Mayor’s office, overseeing initiatives related to community engagement and tackling violence against women and girls. His position carries significant influence and responsibility, making these allegations particularly concerning. He was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to community cohesion.
The Reaction and Investigation
Sadiq Khan’s office has responded to the allegations, stating that they are taking the matter