Who Is Mete Coban?
Mete Coban, one of Sadiq Khan’s newly appointed deputy mayors in London earning £148,000 per year, has been exposed for faking an entire football career. Coban, hailed as a youth engagement advocate and former Hackney councillor, claimed to have played for Inter Milan and was on the brink of signing with Real Madrid. Now, it has emerged that these claims were completely fabricated.
Why His Fake Football Claims Matter
The story, initially crafted over a decade ago, has resurfaced amid questions about Coban’s credibility and transparency — key traits for any public official. As his influence grows within the mayoral administration, the controversy raises serious concerns about vetting and public trust.
The Fantasy Football Career That Never Was
Claims of Playing for Inter Milan
In 2011, Coban, then 17, declared on social media and Turkish websites that he had spent four years at Italian giants Inter Milan. He claimed to have played for their youth academy and participated in major tournaments. A video, now deleted, showed him scoring goals supposedly while wearing the club’s kit.
Alleged Real Madrid Signing
Taking the deception further, Coban claimed he was on the verge of a dream move to Real Madrid. He posted photos of himself signing autographs at the Bernabéu and wrote lengthy Facebook updates about the supposed transfer. The story gained traction, even making it into Turkish media outlets like Fanatik and receiving mentions in Spain’s Marca.
The Investigation That Uncovered the Lie
Turkish and Spanish Media Dig Deeper
Curious journalists began to question the narrative. Fanatik and other Turkish outlets attempted to verify Coban’s footballing history with Inter Milan and Real Madrid — only to hit dead ends. No one at either club had heard of him.
Confirmation from Football Scouts and Clubs
Javier Ribalta, a senior football scout and then Inter Milan official, confirmed Coban never played or trained at the club. “He was never a player here,” Ribalta stated. Officials at Real Madrid also denied any record of an upcoming transfer, calling the claims “pure fiction.”
Political Rise Despite Fabrication
From Hackney Councillor to Deputy Mayor
After shelving his football dreams, Coban turned to politics. He became Hackney’s youngest-ever councillor at age 21 and launched a youth engagement platform, “My Life My Say.” His work gained national attention and he received an MBE in 2020 for public service.
Charity Work and Recognition
Coban’s charity work helped young people get involved in democracy, particularly in marginalized communities. His efforts won him accolades and positioned him as a rising star in Labour circles — eventually earning him a top post in Sadiq Khan’s City Hall team in 2024.
Official Reactions
City Hall Defends the Appointment
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan downplayed the revelations: “This happened more than a decade ago when Mete Coban was a teenager. He has said publicly before that it was a naive mistake which he has learned from and moved on from.” City Hall insists Coban is judged today on his record in youth advocacy and leadership, not a teenage stunt.
Public Response and Political Fallout
Public opinion remains divided. Some see Coban’s fabrication as a youthful misstep with little bearing on his current job. Others view it as a red flag — suggesting a pattern of deceit that calls into question his integrity in public office. Opposition figures have called for further transparency and vetting within the Mayor’s appointments.
Conclusion
Mete Coban’s false claims about a high-level football career may have been forgotten if not for his rise to political power and influence. While many defend him as a changed man whose work speaks for itself, the controversy highlights how past deceptions can haunt public figures — and how public trust hinges on truth, even years later.
FAQs
Who is Mete Coban?
Coban is a British politician and deputy mayor of London under Sadiq Khan. He previously served as a councillor and youth charity founder.
What did he falsely claim?
He claimed to have played for Inter Milan and was close to signing with Real Madrid, despite no actual affiliation with either club.
How was the truth revealed?
Investigative journalists from Turkish and Spanish outlets contacted clubs and scouts who confirmed that Coban never played for or was scouted by them.
What is his role now?
He is one of Khan’s deputy mayors, responsible for environmental and youth-related policy in London, earning £148,000 per year.
Has he responded to the allegations?
City Hall stated Coban acknowledges it was a “naive mistake” made as a teenager and emphasizes his accomplishments since.
