Okan Buruk visits Metehan Baltacı: His requests become a talking point
It has been learned that Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk visited Galatasaray player Metehan Baltacı, who was arrested as part of an investigation into "betting in football," at Silivri Prison. During the meeting, Baltacı's requests regarding prison conditions also came to the fore.
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A new development has occurred regarding Metehan Baltacı, who was arrested as part of an investigation into "betting in football." According to a report by HT Spor, Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk visited his player, who is being held at Silivri Prison. It was stated that Buruk held a meeting with Baltacı that lasted approximately half an hour.
BALTACI'S REQUEST FROM PRISON COMES TO THE FORE
It was reported that Metehan Baltacı, who is staying in a non-smoking ward in prison, requested that a subscription to the broadcaster be connected to his ward so that he could follow the matches. It was stated that the prison administration is in the process of evaluating the footballer's request.
Information was shared that Metehan Baltacı, who has been away from his professional athlete diet, has lost approximately 5 kilograms during his detention process.
9-MONTH BAN FROM PFDK
The 23-year-old footballer had previously been given a 9-month ban by the Turkish Football Federation's Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) on the grounds that he had placed bets.
SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION
Metehan Baltacı was arrested within the framework of a wide-ranging "betting in football" investigation conducted across Turkey by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. It was stated that the investigation was launched following allegations that some footballers and figures from the football community were involved in betting activities, despite the betting ban in professional leagues.
BALTACI'S STATEMENT INCLUDED IN THE FILE
In his statement included in the investigation file, Metehan Baltacı stated that he learned he had placed bets through a notification sent to his club by the Turkish Football Federation in the second week of November 2025. Baltacı stated that he placed these bets through a legal site during a period when he was still a youth player at Galatasaray and had not yet played for the A-team.
Baltacı also declared that he did not place any bets on Galatasaray matches after he started playing for the A-team, that he did not receive any guidance during the period in question, and that he placed the bets of his own volition.