03.04.2026 12:57
While Mert Hakan Yandaş appeared before the judge as part of the betting investigation, the Fenerbahçe community supported him in court, while the player denied the allegations and said, "I would like to say that I have been the victim of a character assassination for choosing Fenerbahçe. I believe I have paid the price for an interview I gave after a match. Everyone knows that match very well. Would someone who has become a tax record holder sell a match for three or five thousand lira? Those who sell matches sell their honor."
Fenerbahçe player Mert Hakan Yandaş, who was arrested as part of a betting and match-fixing operation, appeared before a judge for the first time today. The support from the Fenerbahçe community before the hearing was noteworthy.
SUPPORT FOOTAGE AT ÇAĞLAYAN COURT
The presence of Fenerbahçe management, sports director Devin Özek, former president Ali Koç, Rahmi Koç, and president Sadettin Saran at the Çağlayan Court showed that the community did not leave Yandaş alone.
“I WILL NOT HARM FENERBAHÇE”
In his defense during the hearing, Mert Hakan Yandaş emphasized his commitment to Fenerbahçe, stating, “I want you to know how much I love Fenerbahçe and that I will not harm Fenerbahçe.”
“I HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO A CHARACTER ASSASSINATION”
Responding to the allegations against him, Yandaş stated that he was targeted for choosing Fenerbahçe and claimed that the information in the case was distorted.
“I HAVE PAID THE PRICE FOR THIS PROCESS”
The player expressed that his statements made after a match affected the process, saying, “I believe I have paid the price for that interview.”
“RESULT OF MY CHOICE 6 YEARS AGO”
Touching on the process of being included in the case, Yandaş stated that it was related to his choice of Fenerbahçe 6 years ago.
“ONE WHO SELLS MATCHES SELLS HIS HONOR”
Responding harshly to the accusations, Yandaş said, “Would someone who has become a tax record holder sell a match for a few thousand lira? One who sells matches sells his honor.”
"I SENT 7 THOUSAND LIRA TO ERSEN DİKMEN, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE DID"
Speaking about his relationship with Ersen Dikmen, Yandaş said, "I met Ersen Dikmen on social media 15 years ago. Our friendship developed. Ersen brother was always by my side in tough times. I was always by his side as well. Our financial relationship is limited to this. The bond between us is based on brotherhood. I sent him 7 thousand lira. I don't know what he did with it."
When asked about his conversations with Dikmen, Mert Hakan concluded his defense by saying, "They are always conversations I have with everyone. There is not a single conversation where a Fenerbahçe match is mentioned. I played every match I played for Fenerbahçe to win in every way, everywhere."
ERSEN DİKMEN: MERT HAKAN WAS NOT AWARE THAT I WAS BETTING
Ersen Dikmen stated that he is a businessman and that he does not bet outside of official betting sites, adding that Mert Hakan was not aware that he was betting. In his statement during the hearing, Dikmen said, "I have been someone who bets since legal betting sites opened. The only thing I know best in life is Fenerbahçe. It is impossible for me to bet on a Fenerbahçe loss. You can also check the records. Mert Hakan was not aware that I was betting. I have been playing on legal betting sites for many years. I have never bet illegally to avoid any trouble. But at the end of the day, I have been in prison for 4 months due to official betting. I would never try to benefit from something that would harm Fenerbahçe. Fenerbahçe's loss would only be a concern for me."