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Istanbul club Fenerbahce’s president, Sadettin Saran, tested positive in a drug test conducted as part of an ongoing narcotics probe, according to a forensic report submitted to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the forensic report, Saran’s hair samples tested positive in a drug screening carried out as part of an ongoing narcotics probe, while his blood, urine and nail samples all returned negative results.
Last week, Saran was summoned by the Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office as part of an ongoing narcotics probe that also involves other public figures in Türkiye.
In his testimony, he denied the allegations of using or procuring drugs and was released under judicial control.
Following the reports, Saran released a public statement asserting that he has never used the substance alleged to have appeared in the test.
"I have never used the substance that is claimed to have tested positive, and I have not even seen it at close range in my life," he said in the statement, describing the allegations as a coordinated smear campaign aimed at damaging both his personal reputation and the institutions he represents.
He stated that he is prepared to provide new samples "immediately and without any hesitation," adding that his legal team will formally request a repeat analysis at the Forensic Medicine Institute.
He also announced that additional tests will be carried out at independent, internationally accredited laboratories, with results to be shared publicly.
Saran, 61, is a Turkish-American businessman who heads Saran Holding, a conglomerate active in media, aviation and tourism.
In September, he became president of Fenerbahce after defeating long-standing club chief Ali Koc in the presidential election.
Under Fenerbahce’s statutes, a criminal conviction would automatically lead to the termination of his presidency, meaning the judicial outcome of the ongoing probe could directly result in his removal from the post.
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