Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran jailed for illegal betting days before leadership vote

A Turkish court has sentenced Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran to two-and-a-half years in prison for inciting illegal betting, with the Istanbul ruling landing just days before the club is scheduled to elect his successor at an extraordinary congress on 6-7 June.

The court found Saran and his brother, Kenan Saran, guilty of “inciting individuals to engage in illegal betting through advertising or various other means,” handing both men sentences of two years and six months. Local media reported that Saran had consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout his court defence.

Saran had already announced his intention to step down before the verdict, and he is not seeking re-election. His sentencing nonetheless adds further turbulence to a club already navigating a period of significant institutional uncertainty.

The ruling is the latest development in sweeping investigations by Turkish authorities into alleged match-fixing and illegal betting across the country’s professional football leagues. Those probes have led to the suspension of dozens of referees by the Turkish Football Federation, as well as the detention or arrest of several commentators, officials, and players from top-tier clubs.

Saran had also faced scrutiny earlier this year when he was briefly detained as part of a separate, wider probe into drug use among Turkish celebrities, though he was subsequently released without charge.

With the chairmanship now vacant, former Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim has announced his candidacy to lead the club, setting up a contest against businessman Hakan Safi. The Istanbul side are hoping new leadership can help them end a 13-year wait for a league championship.