Turkish authorities have detained 32 individuals, including several football club executives, as part of an investigation into alleged match-fixing and illegal betting across the country's professional leagues. The Istanbul prosecutor's office confirmed the arrests on Friday.
According to a statement, those apprehended are suspected of placing bets on games involving their own clubs, with some wagering on opposing teams during official fixtures. Police operations spanned 10 provinces, and efforts continue to locate one suspect still at large. Details of the suspects' identities or club affiliations have not been disclosed.
This action is part of a broader crackdown on illegal betting and match-fixing in Turkish football, including the top-tier Super Lig. Previously, the Turkish Football Federation suspended 149 referees and assistants for betting offences, while numerous club chairmen, players, and commentators have faced detention or arrest in connection with ongoing probes.
In November, over 1,000 players were suspended by the federation amid the widening scandal, including Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali, who was pulled from the Turkey squad preparing for World Cup qualifiers. Elmali, 25, posted on Instagram that he had bet on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team at the time. He and teammate Metehan Baltaci were among 1,024 players referred to a disciplinary commission.
The third and fourth-tier divisions were also shut down for two weeks, but the top two divisions continued.
