ISTANBUL COURT ORDERS DETENTION OF 11 FOOTBALLERS IN MAJOR BETTING, MATCH-FIXING SCANDAL

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

An Istanbul court on Monday ordered the detention of 11 footballers from Turkey’s first and second divisions over allegations of illegal betting and match-fixing, as a sweeping investigation continues to shake Turkish football.

According to local media reports, nine of the detained players are accused of betting on matches involving their own teams. Among the five first-division players charged are Galatasaray defender Metehan Baltaci, Konyaspor winger Alassane Ndao of Senegal, and Fenerbahce’s international midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas, who allegedly placed bets through a third party.

In addition to the footballers, judges ordered the provisional detention of nine other suspects, including the presidents of two third-division clubs accused of colluding to manipulate the outcome of a match during the 2023/2024 season.

Meanwhile, 19 suspects were granted bail, among them four players from the Turkish Super Lig.

The arrests are part of a broader investigation by the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office into suspected illegal betting networks and match-fixing. Around 40 individuals were initially arrested last week in connection with the probe.

The scandal has already had far-reaching consequences for Turkish football. In early November, six referees and the president of first-division side Eyuspor were jailed over related offences. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also dismissed nearly 150 referees last month, accusing them of actively participating in betting on football matches.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing as efforts intensify to restore integrity to the country’s football system.