Turkey Arrests 20 Suspects in Betting Probe, Including Super Lig Players

^{Pictured: Mert Hakan Yandaş (Fenerbahçe) and Metehan Baltacı (Galatasaray)}

Turkey’s wide-ranging investigation into illegal betting and potential match-fixing took a new turn this week.

According to Reuters, citing the state-run Anadolu agency, a court has ordered the arrest of 20 suspects, including Super Lig players. The decision is not related to police detentions but is a pre-trial custody measure that will remain in force until the start of judicial proceedings.

Those placed under arrest include Galatasaray defender Metehan Baltacı, Fenerbahçe midfielder Mert Hakan Yandaş and Murat Sancak, the former president of Adana Demirspor.

During the hearings, Baltacı said he had placed bets only while playing for the youth team. Yandaş, according to Turkish media, denied all allegations. Sancak also stated that he had never bet on matches or held gaming accounts.

The arrests follow a major operation last week, when prosecutors ordered the detention of 46 individuals — footballers, club officials, a commentator and a referee.

The case comes amid broader actions by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), which earlier suspended 149 referees and assistant referees for involvement in betting and barred more than 1,000 players from competition.

A trial date has not yet been set.