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Galatasaray Sports Club issued a formal statement on Thursday regarding a legal case involving its General Secretary Eray Yazgan and a sponsorship agreement signed in 2024 and subsequently terminated amid controversy.
The club emphasized that Galatasaray's name remains beyond reproach and is committed to pursuing legal action against individuals or organizations attempting to defame the club.
"We have full confidence that Galatasaray's name will remain untainted," the statement said.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office reopened the case after the Sports Toto Organization appealed an earlier decision not to pursue charges. Eray Yazgan now faces allegations of encouraging illegal gambling in connection with the sponsorship and a match against Caykur Rizespor in September 2024.
The charges carry a potential prison sentence of one to three years under Turkish law.
https://x.com/GalatasaraySK/status/1955943200830497189
Galatasaray stressed that no financial benefit was received from the agreement and that all actions complied with regulations. The club said it would take legal measures against anyone attempting to spread misinformation or defame the organization.
"Galatasaray has always acted with integrity, and any association with illegal gambling is entirely unacceptable," the statement read.
Galatasaray will cooperate fully with authorities while defending the actions of its officials conducted in the course of their duties.
In September 2024, Galatasaray Sportif A.S. signed a sponsorship deal with Serwin Global Solutions SDN BHD to promote the digital sports news platform "meritking.news." The agreement covered the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, valued at $14.06 million plus value-added tax (VAT), including advertising and branding rights on the football team’s jerseys and other club departments.
After objections claiming the platform was linked to illegal gambling, Galatasaray suspended the sponsorship on Sept. 17, 2024, removing the advertising immediately, and formally terminated the contract on Sept. 30, 2024.
The sponsorship drew public attention when the logo first appeared on jerseys during a match against Rizespor, sparking social media debate over potential illegal betting associations.
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