32 Club Executives Detained in Turkish Football Betting and Match-Fixing Investigation

By Erdem / 20/02/26

32 Executives Detained in Gambling Investigation in TurkeyA major operation has been carried out as part of an ongoing betting and match-fixing investigation in Turkish football, led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Acting on detention warrants issued for 33 suspects, Financial Crimes officers from the Istanbul Police detained 32 individuals, while efforts to locate one remaining suspect are ongoing.

According to investigators, several club executives are suspected of holding accounts on legal betting platforms and placing wagers on matches involving their own teams. The allegations include bets placed in favor of opposing sides as well as wagers related to goal totals and specific in-game outcomes.

Simultaneous Raids Conducted in 9 Provinces

The operation, coordinated from Istanbul, was carried out simultaneously across nine provinces. In addition to Istanbul, searches and evidence seizures were conducted in Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Denizli, Giresun, Izmir, Konya and Muğla.

Police teams are continuing their examination of seized digital materials and financial records as part of the investigation.

Investigation Based on Law No. 6222

The probe is being conducted under Article 11 of Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports, which regulates offenses related to match-fixing and incentive payments. Prosecutors are assessing whether the alleged betting activities may have affected the integrity and fairness of official competitions.

The legal status of the detained suspects will become clearer following questioning procedures and potential court referrals.

Clubs and Executives Named in the Investigation

Detention warrants were issued for executives linked to several professional football clubs across different leagues. The individuals named in the investigation are as follows:

  • Adana Demirspor: Abdullah Sancak, Burhan Serkan Kalmaz, İhsan Çetinkaya

  • MKE Ankaragücü: Adem Başbilen

  • Yeni Malatyaspor: Ahmet Topdağ

  • Antalyaspor: Aytaç Altay, Bahadır Haktanır, Cem Koç, Cesur Burak Akar, Tuncay Gülel

  • Bodrumspor: Caner Tuna

  • Göztepe: Enes Memiş

  • Giresunspor: Erdinç Hıdımoğlu, Ersin Sarıkaya, Ferhat Karademir, Gürkan Temür, İbrahim İnaç, Mustafa Tütüncü, Osman Topal, Tahsin Çoban

  • Konyaspor: Hakan Faydasıçok, Kamil Yücel, Muhammet Ali Atasever, Osman Öztürk, Osman Serper, Yunus Emre Demirkol

  • Alanyaspor: Hüsamettin Akyüz, Hüseyin Gümrükçüler

  • Denizlispor: Hüseyin Sorudak, Yavuz Cinkaya

  • Kocaelispor: Orhan Dönmez

  • Gençlerbirliği: Süleyman Yurtseven

  • Sivasspor: Yasin Ocak

All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Konyaspor Issues Official Statement

Konyaspor released a written statement addressing the investigation. The club confirmed that one current board member and four former board members had been detained as part of the probe. The statement reads:

“PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Within the scope of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office under Law No. 6222, we have learned that a total of five individuals — one from the current administration of Tümosan Konyaspor and four who served in previous administrations — have been detained.

This judicial process is being closely and carefully monitored by our Club, and developments will be shared with the public in line with the principle of transparency.

Respectfully,

Cengiz Yönet
Secretary General – Spokesperson”

Other clubs named in the investigation are also expected to issue public statements in the coming hours.

Expanding Betting, Match-Fixing and Incentive Payment Investigation

The latest operation marks a new phase in the broader betting and match-fixing investigation in Turkish football. Authorities have emphasized that the inquiry focuses on protecting the integrity of competitions and ensuring fair play within professional leagues.

Prosecutors are expected to determine the next legal steps following the completion of detention procedures. The investigation remains ongoing.

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