Wide-Ranging Betting Allegations Rock Turkish Football as Police Launch Raids Across Clubs

Key Takeaways:

• On Friday morning, Turkish prosecutors ordered the arrest of 46 individuals, including 29 players, amid illegal betting and match-fixing allegations
• Fenerbahce’s captain Mert Hakan Yandas, 31, and Galatasaray defender Metehan Baltaci, 23, have been detained and are accused of making illicit bets on matches involving their teams
• Club owners, presidents, coaches, referees, and a commentator are also implicated in investigations relating to match outcomes and suspicious financial activity

Major Police Operation Targets Widespread Corruption

Turkish police have carried out raids on the homes of key football figures as part of a large-scale investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing, placing further scrutiny on the nation’s football institutions. On Friday morning, prosecutors in Istanbul issued arrest orders for 46 suspects, consisting of 29 footballers, as the scandal continues to overshadow Turkish football.

Breaking News: Fenerbahçe SK’s first team captain has been taken into custody in Turkey amid a nationwide illegal betting investigation. #Fenerbahce #Turkiye #BettingScandal pic.twitter.com/DOe4iLyoJp

— HoodZ🇹🇷🇮🇪🦁 (@HoodZ___) December 5, 2025

High-Profile Players Among Those Detained

Midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas, aged 31 and captain of Fenerbahce, is alleged to have placed illegal wagers on football matches via a third party. Reports from Turkey confirm that he has been detained by the authorities. Metehan Baltaci, a 23-year-old centre-back for Galatasaray, was also arrested after accusations of betting on matches involving his own side. Baltaci was suspended for nine months by the Turkish FA in relation to these allegations.

The investigation claims that 27 out of the 29 players arrested participated in betting on fixtures featuring their own teams. Rules underlining sporting integrity strictly prohibit footballers from placing bets on matches, regardless of team involvement, due to the risk of match manipulation.

Comprehensive List of Accused Spans Multiple Roles

Of the 46 individuals facing arrest, 35 have already been detained as of the latest update, while five of the 11 outstanding suspects are believed to be outside the country. The prosecutor’s office stated: “Efforts to apprehend the other suspects are ongoing,” also confirming all suspects have been named. “Investigations will continue with meticulousness and determination.”

Those identified by prosecutors include Ankaraspor’s owner Ahmet Okatan and president Mehmet Emin Katipoglu, as well as Sahin Kaya, president of Nazilli Belediyespor. Two coaches are also implicated, all in connection with an alleged attempt to fix the result of a match between Ankaraspor and Nazilli Belediyespor in April 2024. Six individuals, with one being a player, are accused of trying to manipulate the result between Umraniyespor and Giresunspor in December 2023.

Further accusations concern Adana Demirspor’s former president Murat Sancak; former referee and current commentator Ahmet Çakar and his wife; and top-flight referee Zorbay Küçük. Küçük is suspected of undertaking suspicious financial transactions via a bank account.

Ongoing Integrity Issues in Turkish Football

Integrity in Turkish football has come under fire before. In November, the Turkish FA suspended over 1,000 players over alleged illegal betting following earlier revelations in October by President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, who accused hundreds of referees of connection to betting accounts.

Currently, Galatasaray hold the top spot in the Turkish Super Lig table, leading Fenerbahce by a single point after 14 rounds of matches. In European competitions, Galatasaray are placed 14th in the UEFA Champions League rankings, whilst Fenerbahce sit 20th in the Europa League list.