Turkey Football Betting Scandal: High-Profile Figures Detained

In the second wave of a football betting investigation in Turkey, high-profile names such as Mert Hakan Yandaş, Metehan Baltacı, Murat Sancak, Ahmet Çakar and referee Zorbay Küçük were detained, while suspicious betting patterns in lower-league matches further widened the scope of the probe.

A large-scale betting investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has escalated with a second wave of operations. In early-morning raids carried out simultaneously in several provinces across Turkey, professional players, referees, former club executives and well-known TV pundits were taken into custody. At the heart of the investigation are alleged links to illegal betting networks, bets placed via third parties, suspicious financial transactions and claims that the outcome of certain matches may have been manipulated. With digital devices, bank records and betting data now in the hands of investigators, the case is expected to expand further.

High-Profile Detentions in Turkey’s Betting Investigation

Among those detained are Süper Lig players, top-division referees and widely known figures in the Turkish football media. Prosecutors say both money flows and activity on betting platforms are being examined in detail to verify the extent of each suspect’s involvement.

The key names and the allegations against them are as follows:

• Mert Hakan Yandaş
  The Fenerbahçe midfielder is alleged to have placed bets on legal betting sites via third-party accounts. According to case records, the bets were not placed from his own account but through another individual.

• Metehan Baltacı
  The young Galatasaray defender is accused of betting on matches involving his own team, including Galatasaray fixtures. This is considered one of the most serious breaches under sports law.

• Murat Sancak
  The former president of Adana Demirspor is reported to have suspicious financial movements in his bank accounts. Investigators are trying to determine whether these flows are connected to organised betting activity.

• Ahmet Çakar
  The former referee and prominent TV pundit appears in the file under the heading of suspicious financial transactions. While prosecutors scrutinise the origin of funds moving through his accounts, Çakar’s wife has also been detained. Financial operations carried out through accounts held by the couple are being examined in detail.

• Zorbay Küçük
  The top-tier referee is alleged to have engaged in betting, with investigators also analysing some of the matches he officiated.

Matches Under the Microscope: Games Flagged in the Probe

One of the most critical aspects of the investigation is the group of fixtures that prosecutors have flagged for suspicious match analysis. In Turkey’s lower divisions, two games in particular stand out due to abnormal betting volumes: Ankaraspor vs Nazilli Belediyespor and Ümraniyespor vs Giresunspor.

In the Ankaraspor–Nazilli Belediyespor match, prosecutors are examining a sharp rise in betting slips corresponding closely to the final result, along with rapid odds movements and in-game statistics. A similar pattern of unusual betting flow has reportedly been detected in the Ümraniyespor–Giresunspor fixture, which has also been placed under intense scrutiny.

Because of these suspicious outcomes, it is claimed that Zonguldakspor was directly affected, suffering a major setback in the final league standings. The club’s president, Harun Demir, described their sense of injustice with the following words:

“Once again, all of Turkey can see that we were right. A crime has been committed here. And there are victims of this crime as well. We are the ones who suffered the damage. We have only one request: to be given our rightful place in the 2nd Division.”

Demir’s statement underlines that the investigation is not only about individual wrongdoing but also about match results that may have shaped the fate of entire clubs.

Background and Scope of the Investigation in Turkey

The betting probe shaking Turkish football did not arise from a single incident. Instead, it is the result of years of accumulated suspicious data being brought together in one case file. The first warning signs emerged when abnormal odds movements and unusual spikes in betting volume during certain matches were reported to the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and relevant authorities.

The TFF then began cross-checking these matches against betting data and financial records. In cooperation with legal betting operators in Turkey and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), a large data pool was created.

This extensive pool includes:

• Transaction logs from licensed betting companies in Turkey

• MASAK’s financial analysis reports

• TFF disciplinary files, referee performance reports and match observer notes

• Additional complaints and requests for investigation submitted by clubs

• Statistical performance analyses of flagged matches

• Financial flows linked to players, referees and associated third parties

Once these datasets were combined, investigators identified time periods where betting flows and financial transactions overlapped. In some cases, betting slips placed one after another were traced back to the same individuals or connected networks.

A key factor in the probe’s expansion was the TFF’s complaint that data received from some licensed betting companies had been incomplete or delayed. The federation requested fresh datasets, prompting a new round of analysis. The broader and more detailed data pool that followed paved the way for the second wave of operations, and prosecutors have stated that further analysis of remaining data could lead to additional waves of detentions.

Legal Process and Possible Outcomes

At this stage, judicial proceedings are ongoing for all suspects. Based on statements, digital evidence and financial records, prosecutors may seek judicial control measures for some and pre-trial detention for others. On the criminal law side, the main charges under consideration include:

• Violations of Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports

• Betting or facilitating bets via third-party accounts

• Acting as an intermediary in betting organisations

• Running or participating in suspicious financial transactions

• Attempting to manipulate match outcomes

On the sporting side, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has opened separate disciplinary files for referees and players named in the investigation. These files may result in suspended licences, long-term bans from football activities, or the reassessment of match results if evidence supports such actions.

Turkish journalist Tahir Kum also offered an important insight suggesting that the investigation may grow significantly larger. Referring to earlier internal TFF findings, he stated:

“You will recall that 152 referees were previously identified as having engaged in betting activity. However, the TFF complained that the data provided by some licensed betting companies was incomplete. They requested a renewed data set. Following this new round of analysis, additional referee names have now been identified.”

Kum’s remarks indicate the likelihood of a third wave of operations, particularly within the refereeing community. With new data revealing further betting activity, the TFF is expected to deepen its disciplinary processes, potentially paving the way for broader structural reforms within Turkish football.