A widening probe into alleged match-fixing in Turkish football led to the hospitalization of former top-flight referee and current commentator Ahmet Çakar on Friday, December 7th, after he was detained earlier in the day. The inquiry, spanning 17 provinces, centers around accusations that players and officials engaged in illegal betting on matches – a scandal that has already resulted in the detention of 46 individuals.Authorities launched the second phase of the inquiry following a review of financial records and betting data, possibly shaking the foundations of Turkish professional soccer.
What Happened?
Former Turkish referee and current football commentator Ahmet Çakar was hospitalized on December 7th as part of a sweeping investigation into alleged betting irregularities within Turkish football. The development comes after Çakar was detained earlier in the day.
The investigation, which spans 17 provinces across Turkey, initially led to the detention of 38 individuals on December 6th, with authorities also identifying four additional suspects currently abroad.
According to a statement released by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the probe is a second phase of investigations into alleged match-fixing, often referred to as “Football Betting Investigations.” The investigation was prompted by data obtained from the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and legal betting sites, alongside open-source research and analysis of decisions made during a Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) meeting on November 13th, which resulted in bans for 101 players.
Authorities are focusing on allegations that players wagered on their own teams’ matches. Twenty-seven players, including Galatasaray’s Metehan Baltacı, are under scrutiny. The investigation also includes Fenerbahçe player Mert Hakan Yandaş, who is accused of betting through a third party, and officials connected to Ankaraspor and Nazilli Belediyespor, with allegations of attempting to influence match outcomes.
The probe extends to a match between Ümraniyespor and Giresunspor on December 24, 2023, where alleged attempts to manipulate the result are being investigated, involving one player and five other individuals.
Following a review of bank records revealing suspicious financial activity, arrest warrants were also issued for Murat Sancak, former president of Adana Demirspor, Ahmet Çakar and his wife, and Zorbay Küçük, a top-tier referee. A total of 46 suspects are now in custody as part of the investigation, which is being carried out under the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports.
