17 Turkish club officials detained as match-fixing and illegal betting probe engulfs Süper Lig

Turkish authorities detained 17 football club officials on Wednesday, including executives from Galatasaray and Beşiktaş, as prosecutors carried out simultaneous raids across Istanbul and nine other provinces in the country’s expanding match-fixing and illegal betting investigation.

State-run Anadolu Agency reported that an examination of legal betting platform data covering 2020 to 2026 revealed the suspects had allegedly placed bets while serving in official capacities. Detention orders have also been issued for two additional individuals not yet in custody.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek underlined the government’s intent in a statement posted on X: “We continue our fight against illegal betting, violence in sports, match-fixing, and proceeds of crime with determination. Any suspicious structure, relationship, or act that undermines the spirit of sport and casts doubt on football’s credibility will be pursued decisively.”

The scandal first surfaced in October when the Turkish Football Federation launched an investigation into widespread betting by referees. That probe quickly broadened to include players and club officials across the Süper Lig, resulting in hundreds of players being referred to the Federation’s disciplinary board and dozens facing criminal charges.

In December, prosecutors ordered the detention of 46 individuals — among them players, club presidents, television commentators, and a referee — on allegations of insider betting across professional leagues. Those formally arrested at that stage included Galatasaray midfielder Metehan Baltacı, Fenerbahçe’s Mert Hakan Yandaş, and Murat Sancak, the former president of Adana Demirspor.

The scale of the current investigation draws comparisons with major match-fixing scandals that have previously destabilised leagues across Europe and beyond.

The crisis arrives at a particularly sensitive moment for Turkish football. The national team qualified for this summer’s World Cup for the first time in 24 years, though they were eliminated in the group stage after defeats to Australia and Paraguay — despite beating co-hosts the United States in their final fixture. Turkey is also scheduled to co-host the 2032 European Championship alongside Italy.