The home of Fenerbahce captain Mert Hakan Yandas has been raided by Turkish authorities as part of a wider investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing that has shaken Turkish football. The 31-year-old midfielder is among dozens of players and officials accused of involvement in betting-related offences, highlighting ongoing concerns over sporting integrity in the Turkish Super Lig.

Details of the Investigation

Prosecutors in Istanbul announced the arrest of 46 individuals, including 29 professional players, early on Friday. According to reports, Yandas is accused of placing illegal bets on matches via a third party and has been taken into police custody.

Other notable arrests include:

• Metehan Baltaci, 23, Galatasaray centre-back, accused of betting on matches involving his own team; recently suspended for nine months by the Turkish FA.
• Club officials including Ankaraspor owner Ahmet Okatan and president Mehmet Emin Katipoglu, and Nazilli Belediyespor president Sahin Kaya.
• Coaches and referees, including top-flight official Zorbay Küçük, accused of suspicious financial transactions.
• Former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak and former referee/commentator Ahmet Çakar and his wife.

The prosecutor’s office stated that 35 of the 46 individuals have been detained, while five are believed to be abroad. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and will be conducted with “meticulousness and determination.”

Scope of Allegations

The cases cover multiple alleged incidents of match-fixing:

• An April 2024 match involving Ankaraspor and Nazilli Belediyespor, allegedly fixed by several club officials and players.
• A December 2023 game between Umraniyespor and Giresunspor, in which six people, including a player, are accused of attempting to manipulate the result.

The Turkish FA has taken sweeping measures to address betting-related misconduct, suspending over 1,000 players in November 2025 following claims from FA president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu that hundreds of referees were linked to betting accounts.

Impact on Turkish Football

The scandal comes amid a competitive season in the Turkish Super Lig, where Galatasaray currently lead the table, just one point ahead of Fenerbahce after 14 matches. Both clubs are also competing in European competitions, with Galatasaray sitting 14th in UEFA Champions League rankings and Fenerbahce 20th in the Europa League.

Yandas, who has made over 100 appearances for Fenerbahce, including under Jose Mourinho, was appointed club captain in August 2025. The raid and ongoing investigation threaten to cast a shadow over both his career and Fenerbahce’s campaign in domestic and European competitions.