05.12.2025 15:55
The second wave of the betting investigation continues to shake the world of football. Lifetime bans are on the table for players found to have bet on their own matches, while clubs face penalties such as point deductions and even relegation.
In the second wave of operations following the betting scandal, notable figures from the football community were among those detained, including Mert Hakan Yandaş from Fenerbahçe, Metehan Baltacı from Galatasaray, Salih Malkoçoğlu from Trabzonspor, referee Zorbay Küçük, and former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak. As the investigation deepens, attention has turned to the penalties that the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) will impose.
The prosecutor's statement included the phrase that 27 footballers "bet on their own team's match," which further escalated the situation. This finding means that the TFF could impose severe sanctions under its current disciplinary regulations.
ARTICLE 56 COMES INTO PLAY: PENALTIES WILL REACH THE SEVEREST LEVEL
In previous similar cases, various temporary bans were imposed for "betting" violations under Article 57. However, the phrase "influencing the outcome of the match" in the prosecutor's report activates Article 56, which contains the harshest provisions of the Disciplinary Regulations.
According to this article:
- Footballers who bet on their own matches will receive a "lifetime ban" (perpetual deprivation of rights).
- If the act is carried out by club officials, the relevant club will face a penalty of relegation to a lower league.
- In cases of severe violations, clubs may face a penalty of at least 12 points deduction.
Therefore, individuals like Mert Hakan Yandaş and Metehan Baltacı are at risk of completely losing their football careers if the prosecutor's findings are confirmed.
RELEGATION AND POINT DEDUCTION RISK
The situation is even more critical for the clubs whose officials are named in the betting scandal. Among the names in the case are former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak and Antalyaspor official Emrah Çelik. If it is confirmed that the violation was committed by the officials, according to the regulations, the clubs may be relegated to a lower league, and in cases of severe violations, a minimum of 12 points deduction will be on the agenda. In this context, especially Adana Demirspor and Antalyaspor stand out as the two clubs at the highest risk in the investigation.
ONE OF THE HEAVIEST PROCESSES IN FOOTBALL HISTORY BEGINS
When the results of the investigation are announced, the TFF Disciplinary Board is expected to sequentially announce its decisions in the coming weeks.
According to federation sources; the era of "monthly bans" is coming to an end, and in its place, severe sanctions rarely seen in Turkish football history, such as lifetime bans, relegation, and point deductions, are coming. The course of the investigation and the sanctions to be imposed by the TFF will shape the largest football corruption case in recent history.