Since October, a betting scandal has been rocking Turkish soccer. Now, the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office has ordered the arrest of 29 players and other individuals. The focus is once again on illegal betting and match-fixing.
The betting scandal in Turkish soccer is taking on ever greater proportions. As the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office announced on Friday, the Turkish authorities have ordered the arrest of a further 46 individuals. These include 29 professionals, 27 of whom are suspected of having placed bets on their own team’s matches. In addition, several matches are said to have been influenced. The identities of the players remain largely unknown.
The public prosecutor’s office has only released one name: Metehan Baltaci from reigning champions Galatasaray Istanbul. The Turkish junior international had already been suspended for nine months in November. According to the state news agency Anadolu, he admitted to having placed a bet several years ago “without really understanding the extent of the matter.” Now he is to be arrested.
Players from Galatasaray’s arch-rivals Fenerbahce are also said to be involved, the public prosecutor’s office announced on X. Fenerbahce player Mert Hakan Yandas is accused of betting using other people’s betting accounts.
So far, 35 of the 46 people sought have been arrested, the authorities added. The presidents of two clubs are also under investigation for allegedly attempting to influence a third division match in their favor during the 2023/24 season.
Betting scandal has rocked Turkey since October
The investigation by the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office, which began in October, is currently rocking Turkish soccer. 152 referees are said to have actively placed bets, and the circle of suspects quickly expanded to include players and officials. At the beginning of November, arrest warrants were issued for six referees and the president of first division club Eyüpspor, Murat Özkaya. A few days earlier, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) had suspended 149 referees and banned 25 first division professionals and almost 1,000 other active players from leagues 2, 3, and 4 for up to a year.