A Turkish court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of 20 suspects, including Super Lig footballers Metehan Baltaci and Mert Hakan Yandas, in a widening investigation into illegal betting, Anadolu Agency reported.
Prosecutors had referred 29 suspects to a criminal court as part of the probe led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Those formally arrested included Galatasaray defender Baltaci, Fenerbahce midfielder Yandas and former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak, all detained in police operations last week.
The investigation followed reviews of financial crimes board (MASAK) reports, bank transactions and telecommunications traffic records, Anadolu said. Police carried out coordinated raids across 17 provinces centered in Istanbul.
“For years, the problems of Turkish football have been swept under the carpet,” Turkish Football Federation Chairman Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu told reporters. “Such disgraceful decisions have been made, such crimes covered up, and the sole responsibility for our current situation is a lack of will.”
Haciosmanoglu said the federation’s inquiry could expand once it receives data from state-run sports betting operator Spor Toto, including information on match observers, coaches, managers and other officials.
The arrests came after investigations revealed that hundreds of referees in Türkiye’s professional leagues had engaged in betting activities, Anadolu reported.