Turkey arrests top league players in football betting scandal

A Turkish court has ordered the arrests of 20 suspects, including Süper Lig footballers, in a widening gambling and match-fixing probe, state news agency Anadolu reported on Tuesday.

Among those arrested and held in custody are Galatasaray`s Metehan Baltacı, Fenerbahçe`s Mert Hakan Yandaş and Konyaspor’s Senegalese winger Alassane Ndao.

Former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak is also being held, according to Anadolu.

The arrests follow last week`s sweeping operation that detained 39 people, including club officials and intermediaries, on allegations of illicit gambling and match-fixing.

Anadolu cited prosecutors as accusing Fenerbahçe`s Yandaş of placing bets on his own team’s matches through a third party.

According to the report, Baltacı admitted to betting as a youth player but denied wagering on any games after he joined Galatasaray’s first-team squad.

The scandal has shaken Turkish football, prompting renewed scrutiny of betting across the professional leagues.

Last month, Turkey’s football federation (TFF) suspended 149 referees accused of betting on games.