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Twenty of the 39 suspects detained in the ongoing “football betting” investigation, including Galatasaray defender Metehan Baltaci and Fenerbahce midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas, were arrested Monday evening, Turkish authorities said.
According to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, 29 suspects, including Baltaci, Murat Sancak, Alassane Ndao, Ahmet Okatan, Mehmet Emin Katipoglu, and Umit Kaya, were referred to the On-Duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest. Ten others, including referee Zorbay Kucuk, were referred for judicial control measures.
The court ordered the arrest of 20 individuals, including Baltaci, Yandas, Konyaspor’s Alassane Ndao, former Adana Demirspor President Murat Sancak, and Ankaraspor club owner Ahmet Okatan. Others arrested included Emrah Celik, Yunus Emre Tekogul, Izzet Furkan Malak, Bartu Kaya, Orkun Ozdemir, and Faruk Can Genc.
Ten suspects were released under judicial control. They include Ahmet Abdullah Cakmak, Eren Karadag, Ugur Adem Gezer, and top-tier referee Zorbay Kucuk.
Previously, judicial control was imposed on another group of individuals including former referee Erhan Celenk, Cengiz Demir, and Salih Malkocoglu.
In a statement released Dec. 5, the Prosecutor’s Office said the second phase of the “Football Betting Investigations” incorporated findings from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), licensed betting platforms, and the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK), which had already issued bans against 101 players on Nov. 13.
Authorities alleged that 27 footballers — including Metehan Baltaci — were found to have placed bets on matches involving their own teams. Mert Hakan Yandas was accused of betting on legal platforms using another person’s account. Officials also pointed to match-fixing suspicions in the April 28, 2024, Ankaraspor–Nazilli Belediyespor match and the Dec. 24, 2023, Umraniyespor–Giresunspor match.
Six individuals were detained in connection with the Umraniyespor fixture. Based on bank record analyses, seven others — including Murat Sancak, sports commentator and former referee Ahmet Cakar, and his wife — were detained for suspicious financial activity.
Authorities said simultaneous detention and search operations were conducted against 46 individuals across Istanbul and 16 other provinces, under Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports. Of those, 38 were detained. Five remain abroad.
The investigation was triggered by an Oct. 27, 2025, statement from then-Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, who said “371 referees were found to have betting accounts, and 152 were identified as actively placing bets.”
The Prosecutor’s Office treated the announcement as a criminal complaint and launched an inquiry. In the first phase, 21 suspects — mostly referees — were detained, with eight, including Eyupspor’s president, later arrested.
As the criminal investigation expanded, the TFF also widened its internal probe. After focusing initially on referees and club officials, disciplinary authorities began reviewing player conduct. The federation announced that 1,024 players had been referred to the PFDK under precautionary measures.
The PFDK is responsible for issuing disciplinary rulings in Türkiye’s professional leagues. In earlier phases, the board handed suspensions ranging from 45 days to 12 months to 102 players.
The most recent update from the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed disciplinary action against 101 players and cited fresh allegations against 27 footballers, including Baltaci and Yandas. Authorities said evidence pointed to match manipulation in multiple games and continued suspicious financial transfers.
Operations across 16 Istanbul districts led to 35 detentions. Five suspects remain outside the country.
The Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation is ongoing “with precision and determination.”
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