Turkish football rocked by mass arrests and suspensions in betting scandal involving players, referees, and club officials.
Istanbul prosecutors have ordered the arrest of 46 people, including 29 football players, in a major investigation into illegal betting on Turkish matches.
The prosecutor’s office said 27 of the players are suspected of betting on matches involving their own teams. Among them is Metehan Baltaci, a player for reigning champions Galatasaray, who was earlier suspended for nine months over the scandal.
Mert Hakan Yandas of Fenerbahce is also implicated, allegedly placing bets through another person’s account.
The investigation has already shaken Turkish football. On November 10, six referees and the president of Eyupspor, a Super Lig club, were placed in pre-trial detention.
So far, police have detained 35 of the 46 individuals named in the arrest order, with five reportedly abroad.
Two club presidents were also targeted for attempting to influence the outcome of a 2023-2024 third-division match, which drew scrutiny after neither side attempted to score, sparking the broader probe.
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The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended over 1,000 players, mostly from the third and fourth divisions, including 25 from the Super Lig.
Sanctions range from 45 days to 12 months. Only one foreign player, Alassane Ndao of Konyaspor, a Senegalese winger, received a 12-month suspension.
In October, nearly 150 referees were suspended for betting, all of whom have since been dismissed.
The scandal highlights systemic challenges in Turkish football, raising urgent questions about integrity, governance, and the oversight of professional leagues.
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