Türkiye’s football world has been shaken by a sweeping criminal investigation into insider betting and alleged match-fixing, with prosecutors ordering the arrest of 46 people — including top-tier footballers, club officials, and referees — in one of the largest sports probes the country has ever seen.

According to a statement from the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office on Friday, those targeted include 29 players from Super Lig clubs, multiple club presidents, well-known commentators, and other football-related personnel.

27 Professional Players Accused of Betting on Their Own Matches

Authorities revealed that 27 of the footballers are suspected of placing bets on matches involving their own teams, a serious breach of both Turkish law and Turkish Football Federation (TFF) regulations.

One of the highest-profile names implicated is Metehan Baltacı, a defender for reigning champions Galatasaray. He had already been suspended for nine months earlier in the month due to betting violations, and now faces potential criminal charges.

Another player, Mert Hakan Yandaş of Fenerbahçe, was accused of placing wagers through another person’s account to avoid detection.

Turkish news outlet A Haber reported that Murat Sancak, former president of Adana Demirspor, is also on the detention list, along with several unnamed Super Lig players.

Referees and Club Officials Also Entangled in the Scandal

The investigation has expanded rapidly since November, when six referees and the president of Eyüpspor — one of the top performing Super Lig sides — were placed in pre-trial detention.

Prosecutors said that two club presidents are being investigated for allegedly attempting to manipulate the outcome of a match between their two third-division teams during the 2023–2024 season.

That match reportedly drew investigators’ attention because neither team attempted even a single shot on goal, prompting suspicions of a deliberate arrangement. Local media have cited this unusual match as the starting point of the entire investigation.

Dozens Detained, Others Abroad

Police have arrested 35 of the 46 individuals named in the current arrest order. Five suspects are confirmed to be outside Türkiye, while authorities continue searching for the remaining individuals.

As of now, none of the clubs involved — including Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, or Adana Demirspor — have issued public statements.

Over 1,000 Players Suspended by the Turkish Football Federation

Parallel to the criminal probe, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has carried out its own disciplinary actions.
So far, the TFF has:

• Suspended more than 1,000 players across multiple divisions
• Disciplined 25 Super Lig players
• Issued bans ranging from 45 days to 12 months
• Suspended nearly 150 referees in October for betting-related violations, all of whom have since been dismissed

Only one suspended player is a foreign national:
Alassane Ndao, a Senegalese winger for Konyaspor, who received a 12-month ban.

Most sanctions were handed down to lower-division players, with more than 900 from the third and fourth tiers penalized.

A Scandal With Far-Reaching Consequences

The unfolding betting investigation marks one of the most significant crises in the history of Turkish football. With widespread suspensions, high-profile arrests, and allegations reaching into club leadership roles, the scandal has raised questions about governance, oversight, and the integrity of domestic competitions.

Authorities have signaled that more arrests could follow as they continue to examine betting records, match footage, communications data, and financial transactions.

For now, Türkiye’s football community — from fans to federations — is bracing for the next wave of revelations that could reshape the landscape of the sport in the country.