- Turkey Orders Arrest of 29 Footballers Over Betting Scandal.
- Investigators uncover widespread referee and player involvement across leagues.
- More than 1,000 players and officials face sanctions nationwide.
The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office has ordered the arrest of 46 people, including 29 football players, in a widening investigation into illegal betting linked to Turkish football.
Authorities disclosed on Friday that 27 of the arrested players are suspected of placing bets on matches involving their own teams, with some allegedly wagering on games in which they participated.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the sweeping probe has deepened concerns about integrity in Turkish football. Earlier in November, prosecutors confirmed that 18 referees were already in custody over similar allegations, following the Turkish Football Federation’s decision to suspend 149 referees on suspicion of involvement in betting activities.
The Turkish Football Federation has now imposed suspensions ranging from eight to 12 months on several officials connected to the scandal, while investigations continue into three additional referees.
A comprehensive review of 571 referees across all professional leagues revealed that 371 had opened betting accounts and 152 had placed wagers.
Among those sanctioned is Metehan Baltacı of champions Galatasaray, who was earlier handed a nine-month suspension.
The scandal escalated on November 10 when six referees and the president of Super Lig club Eyüpspor were placed in pre-trial detention.
Prosecutors also confirmed that Fenerbahçe midfielder Mert Hakan Yandaş allegedly placed bets using another person’s account, though the identities of 26 other accused players remain undisclosed.
Police have detained 35 of the 46 individuals named in the warrants, while five suspects are believed to have fled the country.
The investigation also targets two club presidents accused of attempting to influence a third-division match during the 2023–2024 season, after a suspicious fixture where neither team recorded a single shot on target.
So far, more than 1,000 players have been sanctioned nationwide, including 25 from the Super Lig. Only one foreign player, Konyaspor’s Alassane Ndao, received a 12-month ban, while most penalties affected players in the lower divisions.
