Turkish football has been thrown into turmoil as authorities launched one of the country’s largest-ever crackdowns on illegal betting and match fixing, leading to a wave of arrests involving players, referees, coaches, and club executives. The sweeping operation, which unfolded on Friday morning, has intensified concerns about corruption and integrity in one of Europe’s most passionate footballing nations.
The investigation reached new heights when Turkish police raided the home of Fenerbahçe captain Mert Hakan Yandaş, a key figure in the scandal. Yandaş, 31, is accused of placing illegal bets through a third party, a direct violation of Turkish and international football integrity regulations. Authorities say he has been detained for questioning as part of a broader probe that is exposing the depth of illegal betting networks in the country.
Prosecutors in Istanbul confirmed that they have issued arrest warrants for 46 individuals, including 29 professional footballers. According to officials, the arrests form part of a widening investigation into organized betting activity that is alleged to have influenced multiple matches across different divisions.
Among those detained is Metehan Baltacı, a 23-year-old defender from Galatasaray, who had already been suspended for nine months by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) after he was found to have placed bets on matches involving his own club. His re-arrest signals that investigators believe his involvement is more extensive than earlier thought.
Authorities revealed that 27 of the arrested players are suspected of betting on matches involving their own teams—a direct breach of ethics rules that prohibit footballers from gambling on games to prevent conflicts of interest and protect sporting integrity. Prosecutors believe several players used intermediaries to conceal their identities, highlighting a sophisticated network of betting operations that may have manipulated match results.
The Istanbul prosecutor’s office confirmed that 35 suspects have been detained so far, while 11 others remain at large, with five believed to have left the country. A public statement issued on Friday stressed the determination of authorities to pursue all those implicated.
“Efforts to apprehend the other suspects are ongoing. Investigations will continue with meticulousness and determination,”
the prosecutor’s office noted in a formal announcement that listed all 46 accused individuals.
The list includes high-profile names such as Ankaraspor owner Ahmet Okatan, club president Mehmet Emin Katipoğlu, and Nazilli Belediyespor president Şahin Kaya. Two coaches linked to those clubs have also been arrested over allegations of fixing a match between their teams in April 2024.
Investigators say the alleged match fixing during the April fixture may have influenced betting outcomes involving large sums of money. Authorities believe the suspects collaborated with betting syndicates that operate across multiple provinces.
Separately, six individuals—including one footballer—have been accused of attempting to manipulate the result of a match between Ümraniyespor and Giresunspor in December 2023. Officials say suspicious betting patterns surrounding the game triggered deeper scrutiny and eventually formed part of the evidence that led to Friday’s crackdown.
The operation has also ensnared prominent figures beyond active footballers and club officials. Former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak, ex-referee and well-known TV pundit Ahmet Çakar, his wife, and top-flight referee Zorbay Küçük were all named among those suspected of involvement in irregular financial activity linked to betting. Several of these individuals are accused of facilitating or turning a blind eye to illegal transactions.
This is not the first time Turkish football has faced such a scandal. In November, the Turkish FA suspended over 1,000 players for alleged betting-related offenses—one of the largest mass suspensions in global football history. The situation intensified in October after FA president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu made explosive allegations that hundreds of referees were linked to illegal betting accounts.
The new arrests indicate the scandal is far from over and may continue to widen. Analysts say the scale of betting activity points to a deeply entrenched network that has penetrated various levels of Turkish football.
Meanwhile, the investigations are unfolding at a crucial time in the Turkish Super Lig. Galatasaray currently lead the league, sitting just one point above arch-rivals Fenerbahçe after 14 matches, setting the stage for one of the tightest title races in recent years. Both clubs are also active on the European stage, with Galatasaray ranking 14th in UEFA Champions League standings and Fenerbahçe ranked 20th in the Europa League.
The scandal threatens to overshadow the competition, raising concerns about the integrity of upcoming fixtures and the credibility of Turkish football on the international stage. Fans have expressed frustration and disappointment as the nation’s football reputation faces yet another test.
As the investigation continues, legal experts anticipate more arrests and potential criminal charges. Turkish authorities have vowed to pursue the case aggressively, promising to dismantle illegal betting networks that have destabilized the sport.
For now, Turkish football remains under intense scrutiny, with the latest developments serving as a stark reminder of the challenges sports institutions face in combating corruption in an age of widespread digital gambling.
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