Turkiye's Football World Shaken by Massive Insider Betting Probe
Turkish football finds itself embroiled in a massive insider betting scandal, leading to a significant crackdown by prosecutors. Authorities in Turkiye have issued arrest warrants for 46 individuals, a group that includes 29 professional footballers from the nation's premier clubs, club presidents, and sports commentators. This expanding investigation has sent shockwaves through the country's professional leagues.
Top Players Implicated in Betting Schemes
The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday that 27 of the detained players are suspected of placing bets on matches in which their own teams were involved. Among those named is Metehan Baltaci, a player for the reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray, who was already handed a nine-month suspension earlier this month due to his alleged involvement in the betting scheme. Another prominent player, Mert Hakan Yandas of Fenerbahce, a major Istanbul club, is also implicated, reportedly placing bets through a proxy account. While the identities of the other 26 players have not yet been disclosed, the scandal's reach is clearly widespread.
Investigation Reaches Club Management and Officials
Beyond active players, the investigation extends to club management and officials. Murat Sancak, the former president of Adana Demirspor, was reportedly on the detention list, according to the A Haber news channel. The probe had previously led to the pre-trial detention of six referees and Eyupspor's president on November 10, highlighting the systemic nature of the alleged illicit activities.
A Zero-Goal Match Sparked the Probe
A particularly suspicious match from the 2023-2024 season between two third-division teams initially drew the attention of investigators. Turkish media reported that neither side registered a single attempt on goal, an anomaly that reportedly served as the catalyst for the entire investigation into match-fixing and insider betting. Two club presidents are specifically targeted for their alleged roles in attempting to manipulate the outcome of this particular game.
Widespread Suspensions by the Turkish Football Federation
To date, police have successfully detained 35 of the 46 individuals named in the arrest orders, with five others believed to be currently abroad. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has taken swift action, suspending over 1,000 Turkish players, including 25 from the top-tier Super Lig, with sanctions ranging from 45 days to 12 months. The vast majority of these suspensions, over 900, affect players from the third and fourth divisions. Only one foreign national, Konyaspor's Senegalese winger Alassane Ndao, has received a 12-month ban. Furthermore, in October, the TFF dismissed nearly 150 referees who were found to have bet on matches, underscoring the federation's commitment to address the integrity crisis plaguing Turkish football.
This widespread investigation underscores the serious challenges facing the integrity of sports in Turkiye, as authorities continue to unravel a complex web of illicit betting and match manipulation.