Darkex Ads Spark Controversy During Kocaelispor–Fenerbahçe Match Amid Asset Seizure

The appearance of Darkex advertisements on LED boards during the Kocaelispor–Fenerbahçe match has ignited a firestorm of controversy. The timing drew intense scrutiny, as it emerged on the same day that Turkish authorities seized the assets of Ş.Y., the company’s owner, amid a major illegal betting investigation.

Darkex Stadium Ads Trigger Public Backlash

During the high-profile clash between Kocaelispor and Fenerbahçe, Darkex advertisements were prominently featured on the stadium’s electronic LED perimeter boards. Images of the ads during the live broadcast quickly went viral on social media, with users questioning the vetting process for sports sponsorships in professional football.

The controversy centers on the jarring timing: the ads aired just hours after news broke that a seizure order had been issued against Ş.Y. as part of an ongoing probe into illegal betting syndicates.

Assets Seized by Day, Ads Air by Night

According to public records, the investigation into illegal betting led to a comprehensive seizure order targeting Ş.Y.’s:

• Movable and immovable property,

• Company shares and partnerships,

• Bank accounts and financial holdings,

• Crypto-assets linked to the suspect.

The case file also includes serious charges of money laundering (laundering proceeds of crime). The fact that Darkex ads were broadcast during a major match on the very same day these judicial measures were taken led to sharp criticism, famously framed by social media critics as “assets seized by day, ads on screen by night.”

Money Laundering Allegations and V.Ş. Connection

The inclusion of money laundering charges has elevated the incident beyond a mere sponsorship oversight. Reports indicate that the case file also explores alleged links between Ş.Y. and V.Ş., a figure long associated with international illegal betting operations.

Social media users and commentators argue that allowing a company linked to such high-stakes criminal investigations to advertise at a major football event raises serious questions about public interest and ethical standards in Turkish sports marketing.

Sports Advertising Oversight Under the Microscope

The incident has reignited the debate over the regulation of advertisements in professional sports. Recent concerns in Türkiye regarding illegal betting, crypto-assets, and unregulated financial services have come to a head following the Darkex incident.

Experts argue that advertisements reaching millions of viewers must undergo more rigorous background checks, particularly given the growing public sensitivity toward financial crimes and the integrity of the sport.