ISTANBUL (AP) – Istanbul prosecutors on Friday issued arrest warrants for dozens of soccer players and officials. gambling scandal It shocked Türkiye.
Players from Türkiye’s leading clubs were among those detained in the early morning police raid. Fenerbahce and national champion Metehan Bartachi. galatasaray.
The Turkish Football Federation announced in October that it was investigating more than 150 professional league referees for allegedly gambling on soccer matches.
The investigation quickly expanded to include players, administrators, television commentators, and other sports officials. More than 100 professional players took part last month, including 25 from the top league. temporarily banned.
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office issued warrants for 46 suspects on Friday. The office announced Friday morning that 35 people have already been detained, including the chairman of Ankaraspor, the vice-chairman of Antalyaspor, and the former chairman of Adana Demirspor.
Former referee and commentator Ahmet Kakar and current referee Zorbay Kucuk were also arrested, news agency DHA reported.
Prosecutors said in a statement that they found that Baltac, who previously played for the youth national team, was betting on his own team’s matches. Yandas allegedly placed the bet through another person.
Seven people, including Kakar and Kuchuk, were arrested after “suspicious financial transactions” were discovered in their bank accounts.
The statement added that all suspects were detained under the Sports Injury Prevention Act. The law criminalizes the manipulation of sports competitions, punishable by one to three years in prison, but the penalties can be heavier if the crime is related to gambling markets, involves officials, or affects professional leagues.
Under world and European soccer rules, players, referees and club officials are prohibited from betting on matches at any level.
The Turkish Football Federation has vowed to clean up the sport, with president Ibrahim Hasiosmanoglu saying it will protect it from “scandals, corruption and corrupt relationships”.
