Turkish Football Federation Suspends 102 Players for Betting

The Turkish Football Federation imposed suspensions on 102 players from its top two professional leagues on Thursday, penalizing them for betting on matches as part of an ongoing investigation into gambling in Turkish soccer. The bans, ranging from 45 days to 12 months, affected 25 players in the elite Super Lig and 77 in the second-tier division, according to the federation's Professional Football Disciplinary Council.

Among those sanctioned were two players from Galatasaray, the reigning three-time champions: Turkey international Eren Elmali, who received a 45-day ban, and teammate Metehan Baltaci, suspended for nine months. Elmali, a 25-year-old defender, acknowledged placing a bet nearly five years ago while playing in the fourth division, emphasizing that it involved a team other than his own and that he had not gambled since. Konyaspor's Senegalese winger Alassane Ndao faced the longest penalty of 12 months, making him the only foreign player among those disciplined. The federation did not disclose whether any of the players bet on matches they participated in.

The actions stem from a broader probe that escalated earlier this month. On Monday, the federation summoned 1,024...