08.12.2025 21:35
The statement of Murat Sancak, the former president of Adana Demirspor, who was detained as part of the investigation into 'Betting' and 'Match-Fixing' in football, has emerged. Sancak acknowledged to the prosecutor that he made a statement saying "We will meet" before getting into the police vehicle, explaining, "My intention here was related to individuals in the media. Since I am a media figure, I said 'We will meet, goodbye.' I absolutely did not target the judiciary or public institutions. I am a person loyal to my state."
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into 'Betting' and 'Match-Fixing' in football, resulting in the detention of 39 suspects, including players, club executives, and referees, who were transferred to the courthouse after health checks. Among the suspects, 29 individuals, including Metehan Baltacı, Murat Sancak, Alassane Ndao, Mert Hakan Yandaş, Ahmet Okatan, Mehmet Emin Katipoğlu, and Ümit Kaya, were referred to the Duty Magistrate's Court with a request for arrest. Meanwhile, 10 suspects were referred to the Magistrate's Court with a request for judicial control.
MURAT SANCAK'S STATEMENT REVEALED The statement of Murat Sancak, the former president of Adana Demirspor, who was referred for arrest, has emerged. In his statement to the prosecutor's office, Murat Sancak said, "I served as the president of Adana Demirspor at various intervals between July 4, 2018, and 2024. During this process, I was the owner of Adana Demirspor Investments Inc. Although I do not remember the exact date, Adana Demirspor became a corporation in 2021 in accordance with the decision of the congress, and I was the owner at certain intervals. For the last year, my son has been serving as the owner of the company. Currently, I hold an 85% partnership in KECTECH. In the past, I have also served as the chairman of the board in dozens of companies. I know the individuals you mentioned, Abdussamet Burak, Tolga Kalender, and Yücel Gürol, because they played for Adana Demirspor, and I know Zorbay Küçük because he is a referee. Metin Korkmaz was the vice president during my presidency at Adana Demirspor and also served as the acting president for one term," he stated.
'I DID NOT TARGET THE JUDICIARY OR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS' Murat Sancak acknowledged that he made a statement saying 'We will meet' while getting into the police vehicle, stating, "My intention here is related to individuals in the media. Since I am a media figure, I said 'We will meet, goodbye.' I absolutely did not target the judiciary or public institutions. I am a person loyal to my state. Later, through my lawyers, we made a press statement to clarify the situation and expressed our trust in justice clearly," he said.
'WE PURCHASED ONYEKURU IN INSTALLMENTS' Regarding the transfer of Onyekuru, which is the most expensive transfer in the history of Adana Demirspor, and how this transfer fee was made through which individuals or companies, Sancak stated, "If I remember correctly, we purchased Onyekuru in installments from the Olympiakos team. However, we did not make any payments to the Olympiakos club. The Olympiakos club applied to FIFA, but they did not request a transfer ban due to the nature of the application. They only requested payment. I do not know if they are currently requesting a transfer ban. It is quite common for football clubs to have situations where they do not pay the transfer fee after selling a player," he said.
'TRANSACTIONS ARE ONLY MADE WITH AUTHORIZED SIGNATORIES' In response to questions about whether money transfers were made with factoring companies, the appropriateness of the discount and interest rates in these contracts to market conditions, the individuals providing guarantees, whether transactions were made with the board of directors' decision, and how the mentioned source was used, Sancak stated, "Factoring companies have been approached due to debts arising from transfers and player payments. Many clubs, like Adana Demirspor, also approach factoring companies. The reason for this is that state banks do not provide credit opportunities to Anatolian clubs. Private banks also do not lend to football clubs. The discount and interest rates are compatible with market conditions. As the owner, I was signing on behalf of A. Ş. with its guarantee. The reason for making transactions on behalf of A. Ş. is that we do not need a board of directors' decision. This transaction is only made with authorized signatories. This is also a procedure compliant with the Turkish Commercial Code. As I mentioned above, the mentioned sources arise from transfers and player salary payments," he expressed.
'WE HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE ADVERTISING IN QUESTION' In response to questions about the illegal betting advertisements published on LED panels, the referral of the club president during this period, whether he held a position in the club, whether the advertising agreement was made with the club's knowledge, and whether any benefits were obtained in return, Sancak stated, "I do not remember whether I was officially employed at Adana Demirspor A. Ş. during this period. My son may have been in charge at the club during this time, but we were making decisions together after consulting with my son. In fact, I was the one who had the final say. Regarding the advertising panels, we were renting the Adana stadium from the Provincial Sports Directorate for both Adanaspor and Adana Demirspor for each match. The advertising panels belonged to the Provincial Sports Directorate. We had absolutely no connection to the advertising in question. This referral was completely contrary to procedure. However, we were penalized despite this. When we went to arbitration, the penalty was lifted. I had spoken with the vice president of the TFF regarding this issue. I told him that they had no right to refer us. He also told me that we needed to go to arbitration," he said.
QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS STATEMENT OF INVESTING 153 MILLION EUROS When asked about Sancak's statement in September 2024 that he spent 153 million euros on Adana Demirspor and the fate of the mentioned money movement and where it was used, Sancak said, "I have invested money in Adana Demirspor. I made that statement, but I do not remember how much I invested," he stated.
'I HAVE NO LEGAL OR ILLEGAL BETTING ACCOUNT' Regarding the account movements with the cryptocurrency service provider 'Bitexen Teknoloji Anonim Şirketi' and where the account movements were used, Murat Sancak stated, "It was agreed to buy and sell cryptocurrencies to generate income for the club.
This was carried out by many clubs other than Adana Demirspor through different companies. Bitexen was also our jersey and sock sponsor. Money transfers were made from company accounts against invoices. I do not have an account on any legal or illegal betting site. I have not placed any bets to date. I have not received any offers for match-fixing, nor have I made any offers for match-fixing. I do not accept the accusations against me. As can be understood from my press statements, I am a person against match-fixing. It is sad to be in front of you in such an investigation," he said.