Four Suspects Jailed in Wide-Ranging Football Betting Operation
Istanbul, February 23, 2026 – Four suspects have been remanded in custody following a large-scale football betting operation that originated in Istanbul and spread across 10 Turkish provinces. A total of 32 individuals were initially detained as part of the investigation into alleged betting and match-fixing in professional football leagues. While 28 suspects were released under judicial control, four remain in prison.
The operation, led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, targeted professional football league clubs and their executives. The investigation uncovered individuals with betting accounts, including club managers suspected of placing bets against their own teams during matches. Simultaneous raids were conducted at 33 addresses across 10 provinces, leading to the apprehension of 32 suspects. Search efforts for one remaining suspect are ongoing.
Suspects Identified in Betting Probe
Following their processing at the police department, all 32 suspects were transferred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan. Among those detained were individuals associated with several prominent football clubs:
- Adana Demirspor: Abdullah Sancak, Burhan Serkan Kalmaz, İhsan Çetinkaya
- Ankaragücü: Adem Başbilen
- Yeni Malatyaspor: Ahmet Topdağ
- Antalyaspor: Aytaç Altay, Bahadır Haktanır, Cem Koç, Cesur Burak Akar, Tuncay Gülel
- Bodrumspor: Caner Tuna
- Göztepe: Enes Memiş
- Giresunspor: Erdinç Hıdımoğlu, Ersin Sarıkaya, Ferhat Karademir, Gürkan Temür, İbrahim İnaç, Mustafa Tütüncü, Osman Topal, Tahsin Çoban
- Konyaspor: Hakan Faydaşıçok, Kamil Yücel, Muhammet Ali Atasever, Osman Öztürk, Osman Serper, Yunus Emre Demirkol
- Alanyaspor: Hüsamettin Akyüz, Hüseyin Gümrükçüler
- Denizlispor: Hüseyin Sorudak, Yavuz Cinkaya
- Gençlerbirliği: Süleyman Yurtseven
- Sivasspor: Yasin Ocak
After their statements were taken by the prosecutor, the 32 suspects appeared before the court. Four individuals were subsequently arrested and imprisoned, while the remaining 28 were released under judicial control conditions.
This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat illegal betting and maintain the integrity of professional football in Turkey. Further details regarding the investigation and potential charges are expected to emerge as the legal process continues.
