Sports

Turkey Football Betting Scandal: 46 Arrested as Match-Fixing Probe Widens

Published

2 months ago

December 6, 2025

Turkey Football Betting Scandal: 46 Arrested as Match-Fixing Probe Widens

The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office has announced the arrest of 46 individuals, including 29 football players, in a rapidly expanding probe into illegal betting in Turkish football. The sweeping investigation has rocked the Turkish Super Lig and lower divisions, raising serious concerns over match integrity and widespread corruption.

According to prosecutors, 27 of the arrested players are suspected of placing bets on matches involving their own teams—games in which they actively participated. The arrests mark the latest escalation in Turkey’s unprecedented betting scandal.

The investigation intensified in early November when prosecutors confirmed the detention of 18 individuals, including referees accused of wagering on professional matches. A week earlier, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) sanctioned 149 referees for betting violations.

The TFF’s disciplinary committee has since imposed bans ranging from eight to twelve months on numerous officials. The federation disclosed that a sweeping integrity survey of 571 referees revealed that 371 had opened betting accounts and 152 had placed bets. Investigations into three referees remain ongoing.

READ ALSO:

Among those disciplined is Metehan Baltacı of reigning champions Galatasaray, who recently received a nine-month suspension. Meanwhile, prosecutors allege that Fenerbahçe midfielder Mert Hakan Yandaş placed bets through another person’s account, though his identity was not officially included among the 26 unnamed players under investigation.

The scandal continues to send shockwaves through Turkish football. On November 10, six referees and the president of Eyüpspor, a Turkish Super Lig club, were placed in pre-trial detention.

Authorities confirmed that 35 of the 46 suspects named in arrest warrants have been apprehended, while five are believed to have fled the country. The warrants also target two club presidents accused of attempting to manipulate the outcome of a third-division match during the 2023–2024 season—a fixture widely questioned after both teams failed to register a single shot on target.

To date, the TFF has suspended over 1,000 players nationwide, including 25 from the Super Lig. Punishments range from 45-day bans to year-long suspensions. Only one foreign player—the Senegalese winger Alassane Ndao of Konyaspor—received a 12-month ban. More than 900 of those sanctioned compete in the third and fourth divisions.

The deepening scandal underscores the severity of illegal betting networks operating within Turkish football and signals that further arrests and sanctions may follow as investigations continue.

Turkey Football Betting Scandal: 46 Arrested as Match-Fixing Probe Widens

Related Topics:Football Betting match-fixing Turkey

Up Next

Aston Villa Beat Arsenal in Dramatic Late Thriller to Close Gap on Premier League Leaders

Don't Miss

Osimhen Scores Brace as Galatasaray Edge Samsunspor 3-2 in Turkish Super Lig Thriller

Sports

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Former African football icon Yaya Touré has described Nigeria’s Super Eagles as the most impressive team at AFCON 2025, praising their attacking quality, discipline and consistency throughout the tournament in Morocco.

The former Ivory Coast captain said Nigeria stood out among the continent’s best despite failing to reach the final, noting that the Super Eagles combined exciting attacking football with strong organisation at the back. According to Touré, Nigeria’s style of play and overall impact made them his top performers at the tournament.

READ ALSO:

Under head coach Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles enjoyed a strong AFCON campaign, winning the majority of their matches and emerging as one of the highest-scoring teams at the competition. Nigeria reached the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to hosts Morocco on penalties, before defeating Egypt to secure the bronze medal.

Touré’s praise adds to the growing recognition Nigeria has received following AFCON 2025. The team’s impressive run also contributed to an improvement in their FIFA ranking, reinforcing optimism around the squad ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

As celebrations continue back home, Touré’s endorsement has further strengthened the belief that the Super Eagles are firmly back among Africa’s elite football nations, with a promising future on both the continental and global stage.

Super Eagles Most Impressive Team at AFCON 2025 – Yaya Touré

Sports

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Published

3 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid delivered a ruthless performance to thrash AS Monaco 6–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, sending a strong statement in the UEFA Champions League and easing pressure after recent domestic setbacks.

The French superstar wasted no time against his former club, opening the scoring early before adding a second inside the first half to take his Champions League goals tally into double figures this season. His sharp finishing set the tone for a dominant night in Madrid.

Vinícius Júnior was equally influential, tormenting the Monaco defence with pace and creativity. The Brazilian capped his display with a fine goal and an assist, while Jude Bellingham added his name to the scoresheet late on as Madrid ran riot.

READ ALSO:

Further goals came through teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono and a Thilo Kehrer own goal, highlighting Monaco’s defensive collapse. The visitors managed only a consolation strike, offering little resistance as Madrid controlled possession and tempo throughout.

The emphatic victory lifts Real Madrid into a strong position in the Champions League standings, keeping them firmly on course for automatic qualification to the knockout stage. For Monaco, the heavy defeat leaves their European hopes hanging by a thread.

The result also marks a positive start under new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, with Madrid fans buoyed by one of the club’s most complete performances of the season as the race for European glory intensifies.

Mbappé Nets Brace as Real Madrid Demolish Monaco 6–1

Sports

Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé

Published

18 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Leads Early Rankings Ahead of Kane, Haaland, Mbappé

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is already taking shape, with Declan Rice, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé emerging as early front-runners for football’s most prestigious individual award. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now past their peak, the field is wide open for new stars to claim the coveted Golden Ball.

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice tops early rankings thanks to his influential performances in club and international competitions, particularly his leadership in Arsenal’s title push. Close behind are Harry Kane, who continues to score prolifically for Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland with his lethal finishing for Manchester City, and Kylian Mbappé, maintaining his form for Real Madrid and France.

READ ALSO:

Rising star Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, also features prominently among early favourites, while other notable contenders include midfield dynamo Vitinha and reigning 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé. Analysts note that the race is still early and that Champions League and World Cup performances will heavily influence the final outcome.

The early rankings provide a snapshot of the competition, highlighting a mix of established stars and emerging talents who could define the next era of global football.