27.12.2025 21:30
In the investigation regarding the allegations that FETÖ set up a conspiracy in the 'match-fixing in football' inquiry, the testimonies of Lütfi Arıboğan, Ahmet Gülüm, İlhan Helvacı, and Ebru Köksal have emerged.
The investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the "2011 football match-fixing investigation," which is known to the public, continues. Many individuals from the sports community, including the former President of Fenerbahçe Sports Club, Aziz Yıldırım, have been targeted in the investigation and prosecutions carried out unlawfully by some former public officials who are members of the FETÖ/PDY armed terrorist organization.
THE STATEMENTS OF 4 SUSPECTS HAVE EMERGED As part of the investigation, the statements given to the prosecutor's office by suspects Lütfi Arıboğan, Ahmet Gülüm, İlhan Helvacı, and Ebru Köksal have come to light.
'I DID NOT SEE ANY UNUSUAL TRANSACTIONS' In her statement, suspect Ebru Köksal said that she started her duty as the general secretary of the TFF on December 1, 2011, and that she had held some positions at Galatasaray Sports Club before. Köksal stated, "I came from Galatasaray Sports Club, and I did not hide this. I carried out my duties at the TFF in a professional manner. I do not know Mehmet Baransu. During my time, I did not see any unusual transactions in the work and processes carried out. Everything was done according to the rules. I had no information about individuals affiliated with FETÖ within the federation. I did not witness any unusual transactions during my tenure. My communication with Lütfi Arıboğan was limited."
'THE ENVIRONMENT WAS LIKE A FIREPLACE' Suspect İlhan Helvacı stated in his testimony that he served as the head of the legal committee at the TFF during the match-fixing investigations, saying, "I have not sent or received any illegal emails with Mehmet Baransu or any other journalist. After receiving the news that the match-fixing investigation had started on July 3, 2011, we were discussing this issue almost every day. The environment was like a fireplace. Many ideas were put forward, but as the legal team, we said that the investigation is confidential based on the presumption of innocence, we cannot take statements, and therefore we cannot refer to the PFDK. During my tenure, I did not witness any illegal transactions being directed by members of the FETÖ/PDY Armed Terrorist Organization. My duties in the federation focused on aligning the federation's regulations with FIFA regulations and preparing the federation's contracts carefully and diligently. It was a task I carried out by going once or twice a week for half a day. I was not involved in daily routine and administrative tasks," he said.
'WE HAD TO PROTECT TURKISH FOOTBALL' Suspect Lütfi Arıboğan stated in his testimony that he did not know who sent the email contents to Şekip Mosturoğlu and why, saying, "After the process started on July 3, a letter from UEFA arrived at the TFF in August. In this letter, it was stated that Fenerbahçe should withdraw from the Champions League, that this decision should be made by Fenerbahçe itself, and if Fenerbahçe did not take this decision, the TFF would have to make this decision, otherwise, severe sanctions would come to Turkish football at the national team and club levels. They also provided examples from countries they had previously applied sanctions to in one or two paragraphs. Following this, we called the executives from Fenerbahçe Sports Club. Ali Koç and Nihat Özdemir came. We showed them. They said they would make this decision and left. Later, Fenerbahçe did not make such a decision. Then we, as the TFF, made this decision. We had to protect Turkish football," he said.
'I SENT IT TO MEHMET BARANSU' Arıboğan stated, "During those days, the police department was publishing the names of individuals who were detained and released every few days. One of the institutions that the police sent was the TFF. A person named Mehmet Baransu was a commentator on a program called 'Telegol' at that time, and our TFF President Mehmet Ali Aydınlar had participated in that program by phone. On that day, it was stated that 90 people were detained according to the detention list published by the Istanbul Police Department, but it was determined that 60 people were actually detained. At the request of President Aydınlar, I also sent the correct list to Mehmet Baransu. This list had been sent to the TFF by the Istanbul Police Department. The judicial actions taken by the police in the match-fixing investigation were also of concern to us," he said.
'I HAVE BEEN FACING THESE ACCUSATIONS FOR 15 YEARS' In his statement, Arıboğan said that they resigned before the trial process of the federation began, stating, "I have no legal relationship with Mehmet Baransu. This person or any other person did not have any influence on the investigations carried out by the TFF and its boards regarding the match-fixing allegations at that time. There was no direction from the FETÖ/PDY Armed Terrorist Organization to the TFF at that time. These investigations were carried out in accordance with the procedures by the legal professionals who were in charge and authorized at the TFF at that time. Neither I nor the TFF violated the confidentiality of the investigation in any way. The information and documents you asked me about were also circulating in the newspapers. We learned about them after the confidentiality decision was lifted. Throughout my career, I have been a national athlete. I am a national basketball player who has worn the national jersey 243 times. Later, I served in high-level sports management. I have never deviated from the law and regulations at any moment as an athlete, manager, and businessman. I have been facing similar accusations for 15 years. By my nature, it is impossible for me to be a member of any organization or to be under anyone's control," he said.
'NOT A SINGLE WORD ABOUT MATCH-FIXING INVESTIGATIONS HAS BEEN MENTIONED ON MY TELEVISION' Suspect Ahmet Gülüm stated that he did not hold any position at the TFF, saying, "I remember the email in question.
This email content includes the statement record of Aziz Yıldırım, which was sent to me by Lütfi Arıboğan. In response, I wrote a message saying 'very unfortunate, nauseating, and sad.' I did not request the document in question; Lütfi Arıboğan sent it to me himself, and the reason for sending it was to let me see what is happening. I do not know Lütfi Arıboğan's connection to the FETÖ terrorist organization. He is an athlete. I believe he is not involved in these matters. I did not violate the confidentiality of the investigation; I did not receive any documents from public officials involved in the match-fixing investigations. The document you asked me about was a document that was circulating everywhere at that time, and there were many other documents as well. I have no connection to the matter. I am a sports person who works for my country. I have been the owner of the 'Sports TV' channel for 15 years. It is a channel open to all of Turkey. There has never been a single word related to match-fixing investigations on my television.