Arrests continue in Turkey as part of the football betting scandal, and the prosecutor's office has issued an additional 29 arrest warrants, Turkish media reported on Friday, according to LETA citing DPA.
Among those detained is the former vice president of the Istanbul football club Galatasaray, Erden Timur.
During a coordinated operation in 11 provinces, 24 people were arrested, including Timur and 14 football players. One of the suspects was already in prison for another case, and searches for four others are ongoing.
The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office stated that suspicious financial transactions were identified when checking Timur's bank accounts, which violate several laws.
The football players, in turn, are suspected of betting on match outcomes.
The scandal involving illegal betting has been shaking Turkish football for several weeks. At the end of October, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) reported allegations that a total of 152 referees were actively involved in betting.
Investigations are also being conducted regarding clubs and players. A total of 149 referees and over 1,000 football players have been suspended during the investigation.
This concerns 27 players from the Turkish Super League, including professionals from leading Istanbul clubs — Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, and Beşiktaş, as well as Trabzonspor.
Among the suspects are also executives from other clubs. It is claimed that more than 570 active referees may be involved in the case.
