Turkey Expected to Resume Betting and Match-Fixing Crackdown After the World Cup

Illegal betting operations have been high on the agenda in Turkey for some time. In addition to operations targeting illegal betting websites, match-fixing investigations also continued for a period. However, there has recently been a pause in betting and match-fixing operations. Recent statements suggest that the investigations could resume after the World Cup.

In recent months, several figures, including Mert Hakan Yandaş and Metehan Baltacı, were arrested as part of betting and match-fixing operations. Many of those involved were later released. During this period, the betting and match-fixing operations were put on hold. As the public continued to ask why the operations had stopped, the expected answer came from the judiciary.

“There Is a World Cup, So We Put the Operations on Hold”

Istanbul Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor Osman Sağlam made a statement in recent weeks. Speaking while the leagues were still ongoing, Sağlam said that betting and match-fixing operations had been paused because of the World Cup.

Sağlam’s remarks led to speculation that players expected to feature in the World Cup could be on the list. This also raised the question among many people: “Is Turkey postponing betting and match-fixing operations for success at the World Cup?”

The First Statement Came From Ahmet Çakar

Former referee and football commentator Ahmet Çakar made striking claims on SkySpor’s YouTube channel in recent weeks. Çakar, whose own name was also mentioned in the betting and match-fixing operation, claimed that some players in Turkey’s World Cup squad had placed bets.

Çakar used the following statements on the issue:

“There are allegations that 3 or 4 players who directly play for the national team placed a bet on both teams to score in the Georgia-Turkey match, and this falls under match-fixing… It is also being said that Montella said, ‘I will resign.’ This has not been denied for two months. Hacıosmanoğlu is my friend, but he never said this was not true. Mr. Osman, the deputy chief public prosecutor in Istanbul, says these operations will continue after the leagues and the World Cup. According to this logic, national team players are also involved in this.”

Sercan Hamzaoğlu Claimed That Three Footballers Were Mentioned

Journalist Sercan Hamzaoğlu, speaking on the 343 Digital YouTube channel, also commented on the betting and match-fixing operations expected to return to the agenda after the World Cup. According to the information he received, Hamzaoğlu said that three footballers who will play in the World Cup were mentioned in the betting and match-fixing investigations. He added that these players could be taken into custody after the tournament.

Hacıosmanoğlu Denied the Claims

Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu denied the claims that the operations would continue after the World Cup. According to Hacıosmanoğlu’s statement to TRT Spor, there will not be any development involving national team players after the World Cup in the way Osman Sağlam’s comments were interpreted.

“Our deputy chief public prosecutor made an unfortunate statement. There is no such situation where we are waiting for the World Cup to take action against new names in the betting investigation. We have done what needed to be done, and we will continue to do so. Are we going to the World Cup with corrupt people? This is not true.”

All Eyes Turn to the Post-World Cup Period

When the statements of Osman Sağlam, Ahmet Çakar and Sercan Hamzaoğlu are evaluated together, the emerging picture suggests that the period after the World Cup could be active. Expectations have grown that operations may continue after the tournament, but it is still difficult to predict exactly where national team players may stand in this process.

The ethical dimension of the operation also needs further examination. If national team players are taken into custody immediately after the World Cup, this could raise concerns in terms of fair competition and tournament integrity. Since many countries have already seen the statements made before the tournament, the perception that “Turkey postponed betting and match-fixing operations for sporting success” could gain ground.

Turkey’s group-stage opponents, Australia, the United States and Paraguay, are also expected to follow the process closely. In such a scenario, whether rival federations will take any action before FIFA may also become a matter of debate.