Turkish governor fired for wearing tight cycling shorts that were ‘too snug’

| Senior science and technology reporter Published July 23, 2026 10:18pm Updated July 23, 2026 10:19pm Damn you, sexy Mehmet! Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli has been urged to cover up with a fig leaf at least by opposing politicians (Picture: Instagram) Is he too sexy for his shorts? A lycra-clad politician has been sacked after going viral for wearing too tight cycling gear. Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, the governor of Ardahan province in eastern Turkey, was removed from his post by a presidential decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The cycling mad politician rode headfirst into an unexpected political maelstrom after photos of him in snug cycling shorts went viral. He has since also become the centre of a campaign pressing for his return to office amid an outpouring of affection. While no reason was given for his dismissal, it came after some Turkish politicians criticised him for wearing cycling tights during a public event promoting the sport and for posting the photos on social media. Inan Akgun Alp, a member of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, accused Cicekli of allegedly prioritising social media over official duties, adding the tight attire was inappropriate for a governor. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. ‘He goes around in tights, spends all day cycling, with bodyguards in front of him, cycling in tights until the evening,’ the T-24 news website quoted Alp as saying during a parliamentary debate last week. ‘A governor cannot wander around the city centre like this.’ Showing a picture to a crowd at a rally, Alp continued: ‘Such governors are unacceptable. Either remove these governors or at least send them fig leaves to wear.’ Samil Tayyar, a former legislator from Erdogan’s ruling party, which has roots in Turkey’s Islamic movement, said the attire was contrary to cultural norms, especially in a conservative, traditional province like Ardahan. He argued that other politicians wore sweatpants while cycling. ‘People can wear whatever they want in their private lives, but a governor cannot visit the public in tights while on duty; it does not align with the seriousness of the state. In a traditional social setting like Ardahan, it is completely unacceptable,’ Tayyar wrote on X. Cicekli, who was appointed governor in January by Erdogan, defended himself by arguing that what he wore was normal cycling attire. ‘(We will) keep pedaling. I am an athlete who practices sailing, rowing and cycling. The clothes I’m wearing are sportswear,’ T-24 quoted him as saying. A petition campaign to try and get him reinstated has gathered more than 10,000 signatures, with supporters arguing that the governor was engaged in important work in Ardahan, promoting sports, youth activities and bicycle tourism, the opposition-leaning Halk TV reported. In an emotional farewell to his supporters in Ardahan on Wednesday, Cicekli said: ‘I believe that I have not let down those who vouched for me and stood by me throughout my journey until now. I believe that this is the greatest honor of all.’ Nacho Sánchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament from Spain who serves as the rapporteur on Turkey, expressed support for Cicekli and suggested Alp was promoting the ruling party’s ‘Islamist conservative agenda.’ Arrow MORE: I’m cycling 1,000 miles with my two young kids to prove mums can do anything Arrow MORE: Trump warned of Iranian plot to kill him in Turkey prompted President to switch planes Arrow MORE: TV soap star died of alcohol poisoning a day after celebrating 35th birthday News Updates Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.