Mert Hakan Yandaş reacts to PFDK decision against him: I have been chosen as a scapegoat
The Professional Football Discipline Committee (PFDK) has handed Fenerbahçe player Mert Hakan Yandaş a 12-month ban for betting activities. Yandaş made a statement regarding the penalty on his social media account.
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In a statement released by the TFF, it was announced that the PFDK has imposed a 12-month ban on the yellow-navy player due to betting activities.
Following this ban, Mert Hakan Yandaş issued a reaction statement via his social media account.
Yandaş wrote the following:
"My lawyers and elders are telling me to wait for the arbitration process. I have been chosen as a scapegoat once and for all. I know my fate has been sealed. I do not believe at all that the unfair and unjust decision made against me will be changed, but I believe there are people who fear God, and that is why I will make a detailed statement after the arbitration... I hope you consider that I also have a family and that you are not just punishing me..."
My lawyers and elders are telling me to wait for the arbitration process. I have been chosen as a scapegoat once and for all. I know my fate has been sealed. I do not believe at all that the unfair and unjust decision made against me will be changed, but I believe there are people who fear God, and that is why I will make a detailed statement after the arbitration…
— Mert Hakan Yandaş (@MHYandas) April 30, 2026
STATEMENT FROM FENERBAHÇE
Fenerbahçe has issued a statement regarding Mert Hakan Yandaş, who was given a 12-month ban by the PFDK due to betting activities.
In the statement made on the official social media account of the yellow-navy club, it was stated: "The 12-month ban imposed by the Professional Football Discipline Committee on our captain, Mert Hakan Yandaş, is unacceptable. This disciplinary penalty, which was given by citing a criminal trial that has not yet been concluded, is of a nature that could cause irreparable damage to our player and is clearly contrary to law and equity.
Our club has maintained a stance committed to the universal principles of law and especially the principle of the presumption of innocence since the beginning of the process. In this direction, the necessary appeals will be made immediately to the TFF Arbitration Board to overturn the decision in question. As Fenerbahçe Sports Club, we once again clearly state that we stand by our captain, Mert Hakan Yandaş, and we inform the public that we will follow the process until the end."