Breaking News... New wave in betting investigation: Numerous footballers and club presidents detained

The betting and match-fixing investigation initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is expanding rapidly. In an operation targeting 2nd League clubs, numerous professional footballers and some club executives were detained.

THE NUMBER OF DETAINEES IS INCREASING

Within the framework of the investigation, the statements of many footballers playing for 2nd League teams and club executives have been taken so far. It is stated that the number of detainees may increase.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has expanded the scope of the investigation into match-fixing and betting, launching inquiries into more clubs and individuals.

According to Dilek Yaman Demir from Ekol; the investigation focuses on allegations that illegal bets were placed on match results and that some individuals engaged in match-fixing during this process.

It was learned that the detentions were carried out in line with data obtained regarding criminal elements during the operation targeting professional footballers and club executives involved in betting and match-fixing activities.

The prosecutor's office has begun examining numerous digital materials and bank transactions during the investigation process.

SUPER LIG ALLEGATION

The operation in question covers suspects alleged to have links to illegal betting activities and to have attempted to influence the results of matches. In addition to club presidents, some club executives, agents, and professional footballers are among those detained. Among the allegations is that footballers from the 3 major clubs of the Super Lig are also included in the operation.

The operation, particularly targeting footballers playing in lower leagues, has caused a shock in the sports community. The scope of the investigation is widening; a large amount of evidence regarding both on-field and off-field suspicious contacts is being investigated in the file.

The allegations date back to betting claims regarding a match played in the 2nd League during the 2023-2024 season.

AHMET ÇAKAR DETAINED

It has emerged that former referee and football commentator Ahmet Çakar was also detained in the new operation conducted this morning as part of the football betting investigation.

On the other hand, when asked "Why were you detained?" during his health check, Çakar replied, "I don't know."

MERT HAKAN AND METEHAN BALTACI DETAINED

It was announced that Fenerbahçe's Mert Hakan Yandaş and Metehan Baltacı were also detained as part of the investigation.

STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a written statement regarding the operation. The statement from the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is as follows:

Within the scope of the second part of the series of investigations conducted by our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, known to the public as "Football Betting Investigations";

As a result of data obtained from the MASAK Presidency and legal betting sites, open-source research, analysis studies conducted on (101) footballers who received deprivation of rights penalties at the Professional Football Discipline Committee meeting dated 13.11.2025 and numbered 27, and other evidence;

-A total of (27) footballers, including professional footballer Metehan BALTACI of the Galatasaray Sports Club football team, who were determined to have placed bets on their own teams' matches,

-Fenerbahçe Sports Club professional football team player Mert Hakan YANDAŞ, who was determined to have placed bets on legal betting sites through others,

-(5) individuals, including Ankaraspor Club owner Ahmet OKATAN, Ankaraspor Club President Mehmet Emin KATİPOĞLU, Nazilli Belediyespor President Şahin KAYA, and 2 coaches, who were determined to have been involved in attempts to influence the match result regarding the Ankaraspor-Nazilli Belediyespor football match played on 28/04/2024,

-A total of 6 individuals, including 1 footballer, due to the determination of an agreement to influence the match result regarding the Ümraniyespor - Giresunspor football match played on 24/12/2023,

-(7) individuals, including former Adanademirspor Sports Club president Murat SANCAK, former football referee and current sports commentator Ahmet Çakar and his wife, and top-class referee Zorbay KÜÇÜK, who were determined to have suspicious financial transactions as a result of the examination of bank accounts,

In line with the simultaneous arrest, detention, search, and seizure instructions given to the Istanbul Police Department as of 07:15 today for the crime of "Opposition to the Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports" regarding a total of (46) suspects in our province of Istanbul and 16 different provinces, (35) suspects have been apprehended and detained. It has been determined that (5) suspects are abroad, and efforts to apprehend the other suspects are continuing.

Presented for public information.

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office