Turkish Football Shaken as Former Beşiktaş Officials Detained in Major Betting Probe
Turkish law enforcement authorities have detained 17 current and former football club executives following simultaneous raids across Istanbul and nine other provinces in a sweeping illegal betting and match-fixing investigation. The probe, initiated after data reviews spanning 2020 to 2026 by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), targeted individuals suspected of placing unauthorized wagers on matches involving their own organizations.
Among those detained are three former board members of Beşiktaş JK. Detailed betting records examined by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office revealed that Tolga Kırgız (who served on the Beşiktaş board from 2024 to 2025) allegedly placed 1,488 betting slips, Kerem Gürel (board member from 2023 to 2024) placed 996 wagers, and Ahmet Akçelik (board member from 2023 to 2025) placed 53 wagers. The wagers reportedly included bets backing opposing teams, total goal markets, and specific player performances. High-ranking officials from other major clubs, including Galatasaray, were also implicated in the sweep.
Exact News Source: Turkish Minute
