Turkey's Football Betting Probe Expands, Former Galatasaray Executive Among 29 Detained

New Wave of Detentions in Widening Probe

Turkish prosecutors have ordered the detention of an additional 29 suspects as part of a rapidly expanding investigation into illegal football betting and alleged match manipulation. The latest operation, which took place on Friday, December 26, 2025, saw 24 individuals taken into custody, with four suspects still being sought by authorities. One individual named in the order was already in prison on a separate charge.

Among those detained is Erden Timur, a prominent former executive of Istanbul-based football club Galatasaray. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office also confirmed the detention of Buğra Cem İmamoğulları, an official at the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), and Fatih Kulaksız, an executive at Eyüpspor. Neither Timur nor Galatasaray have immediately commented on the developments.

Allegations and Evidence

The current phase of the investigation targets a diverse group, including 14 active footballers from various Turkish leagues. Prosecutors allege that these players placed bets against their own teams, predicting losses, which could influence match outcomes. Furthermore, six suspects are specifically being investigated for allegedly placing bets intended to influence the result of a Süper Lig match between Kasımpaşa and Samsunspor played on October 26, 2024.

The detentions are based on extensive evidence gathered from various sources, including:

• Reports from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK)
• Data obtained from illegal betting sites
• Open-source intelligence
• Decisions by the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK)
• Analysis of phone traffic and digital material seized in previous operations

In Timur's case, an examination of bank transactions reportedly raised suspicions of violations related to sports integrity, illegal betting, and anti-money laundering rules.

Broader Context of the Scandal

This latest development is part of a comprehensive crackdown that has been shaking Turkish football for several months. The investigation initially focused on match officials and has since broadened significantly to include players, club presidents, and administrators. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) initiated an internal audit in October 2025, which revealed that 371 of 571 professional referees had betting accounts, with 152 actively placing bets. TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu described the situation as a 'deep-rooted problem' and a 'moral crisis in Turkish football'.

Previous actions in the probe include:

• The TFF suspending 149 referees and assistant referees in November 2025 over betting allegations.
• Prosecutors ordering the detention of 46 individuals earlier in December, including players, club presidents, commentators, and a referee. A Turkish court subsequently jailed 20 suspects, including Süper Lig players like Metehan Baltacı, Mert Hakan Yandaş, and Alassane Ndao, pending trial.
• The TFF suspending 1,024 players from all leagues as part of its disciplinary measures.

The ongoing investigation has seen operations conducted across 11 Turkish provinces, with a primary focus on Istanbul. The scandal is estimated to involve around 1,500 people, underscoring the widespread nature of the integrity challenge facing Turkish football.