A massive betting scandal has engulfed Turkish football, with prosecutors in Istanbul issuing arrest warrants for 46 people, including 29 professional players.
According to a statement from the public prosecutor’s office, 27 of the arrested players are suspected of having placed illegal bets on matches involving their own teams. Among those named is Metehan Baltaci, a player for reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray, who had already been suspended for nine months earlier this month over the scandal.
The investigation has sent shockwaves through the sport in Turkey. It previously led to the pre-trial detention of six referees and the president of top-tier club Eyupspor in November. The scandal reportedly began after a suspicious third-division match in the 2023-2024 season where neither team made an attempt to score.
In response, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended more than 1,000 players, with sanctions ranging from 45 days to 12 months. The TFF had also suspended nearly 150 referees for betting in October, all of whom have since been dismissed.
Tag: Turkey, Football, Betting Scandal, Match-Fixing, Galatasaray, Sports News
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