46 Arrested in Turkish Football Match-Fixing Probe

Istanbul prosecutors ordered the arrest of 46 individuals on Friday, including 29 professional football players, as part of an expanding investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing in Turkey's leagues. The probe, centered in Istanbul, has ensnared players from top clubs and lower divisions, highlighting deep-rooted integrity issues in the sport.

Among the players targeted, 27 face accusations of placing bets on matches involving their own teams, a violation that undermines sporting rules designed to prevent manipulation. Prosecutors identified Metehan Baltaci, a 23-year-old center-back for reigning Super Lig champions Galatasaray, as one suspect. Baltaci had already received a nine-month suspension from the Turkish Football Federation earlier this month related to the scandal. Another prominent figure, Fenerbahce captain and midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas, 31, is alleged to have wagered through a third party's account. Police detained 35 of the suspects by Friday afternoon, with five believed to be abroad and efforts ongoing to locate the rest, according to the prosecutors' office.

The investigation extends beyond players to include club officials, referees, and others...