Turkish authorities announced the detention of 29 football players as part of extensive investigations into sports betting and fixed matches, in a move considered the most significant since the crisis shaking Turkish football began. The judicial measures include club presidents and players from various divisions.

Sources from Foot Mercato confirmed that among the detained players, 27 are suspected of betting on their teams' matches, including players active in major clubs such as Hakan Mert Yandaş of Fenerbahçe and Metihan Baltaçı of Galatasaray. Additionally, two club presidents were detained for attempting to influence the result of a third-division match during the 2023/2024 season.

İbrahim Oğlo, president of the Turkish Football Federation, pointed out that the investigations started with referees who bet on more than 1,000 matches, leading to the imprisonment of 6 referees and the suspension of about 150 referees due to their involvement in illegal betting. Oğlo emphasized that the goal of these measures is to cleanse Turkish football and return it to the correct ethical path, in cooperation with all clubs and game officials.

The source explained that Turkish authorities issued arrest warrants for 46 suspects, placing 35 of them under preventive detention, including players from lower division teams, in an effort to purge the game of all forms of manipulation and illegal betting.

This development comes as part of a major judicial campaign, confirming the determination of the Turkish Federation and legal authorities to enforce discipline and enhance integrity in Turkish football.