The prosecutor's office has issued a decision of no grounds for prosecution regarding the criminal complaint filed by the Spor Toto Organization Presidency against the website Meritking.news, which was a short-term jersey sponsor for Galatasaray.
Journalist Murat Ağırel, who announced the decision on his social media account, stated the following:
"The Spor Toto Organization Presidency had filed a criminal complaint and an investigation was launched, alleging that the 'Meritkings' advertisement used on the back of Galatasaray Sports Club's jerseys during the Rize match constituted a crime under Law No. 7258, as it was a news site belonging to an illegal betting site named Meritking. The investigation has concluded. In its statement to the Prosecutor's Office, Galatasaray Club reported that the sponsorship agreement was made after obtaining the opinion of the Turkish Football Federation and that the contract was terminated on 30.09.2024 following warnings. The Prosecutor's Office concluded the investigation with a decision of no grounds for prosecution (KYOK)."
Spor Toto Teşkilat Başkanlığı, Galatasaray Spor Kulübünün Rize maçına çıkarken formalarının arkasında kullandığı ‘’Meritkings’’ reklamının meritking isimli yasadışı bahis sitesine ait bir haber sitesi olduğu 7258 sayılı yasa kapsamında suç teşkil ettiğine dair suç duyurusunda… pic.twitter.com/UwsZfVmccQ
— Murat AĞIREL (@muratagirel) November 13, 2024
WHAT HAPPENED?
Galatasaray had first suspended and then canceled its sponsorship agreement with meritking.news following public backlash. During the relevant process, the Spor Toto Organization Presidency had filed a criminal complaint with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding Galatasaray, Adana Demirspor, and the websites where betting was conducted under the name MeritKing.
News Source: 12punto
