Turkey has started the second phase of its Football Betting Investigations, led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. As part of this new stage, arrest warrants were issued for 46 people. The list includes well known figures such as footballers Metehan Balcı and Mert Hakan Yandaş, former referee and current commentator Ahmet Çakar, and top level referee Zorbay Küçük.

Police carried out operations in 16 provinces and detained 35 suspects. Five others were found to be outside the country, and officers are still working to locate the remaining individuals. Authorities say the investigation is continuing to expand as new evidence is reviewed.

How the Investigation Expanded

This phase of the investigation used information from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board known as MASAK, legal betting sites, open sources, and past disciplinary decisions. Officials reviewed data on 101 footballers who had been banned before, and the findings suggested a larger network of betting activity and suspicious money movements.

Authorities say the evidence shows involvement from players, club officials, referees, and coaches. Their main goal is to understand how common illegal betting is in Turkish football and to find out if any match fixing attempts happened. Investigators believe more details may emerge as they continue to analyse new information, and they expect the scope of the inquiry to grow further.

Findings From the Inquiry

Investigators say that 27 footballers placed bets on matches involving their own teams, including Galatasaray player Metehan Baltacı. Fenerbahçe player Mert Hakan Yandaş also used another person’s account to place bets. The inquiry uncovered an attempt to influence the result of the Ankaraspor versus Nazilli Belediyespor match on April 28, 2024, involving club owner Ahmet Okatan, president Mehmet Emin Katipoğlu, Nazilli Belediyespor president Şahin Kaya, and two coaches.

A separate case involved six individuals, including one footballer, who were found to have worked together to affect the outcome of the Ümraniyespor versus Giresunspor match on December 24, 2023. Officials say evidence shows coordinated actions aimed at influencing how the match ended, raising concerns about the level of manipulation involved.

Investigators also discovered suspicious money movements in several bank accounts. These accounts belong to former Adanademirspor president Murat Sancak, former referee and current commentator Ahmet Çakar and his wife, and a top tier referee. Authorities say these financial activities will be reviewed more closely as part of the expanding investigation.

Detentions and Ongoing Efforts

After reviewing the evidence, the Istanbul Police Department issued arrest, detention, search, and seizure warrants under Law No. 6222, which aims to prevent violence and disorder in sports. So far, 35 suspects have been taken into custody. Police say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests may happen as they continue to search for the remaining suspects.