A Turkish court has sentenced Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran to two-and-a-half years in prison for inciting illegal betting, a significant ruling delivered just days before the club is due to elect his successor.
The Istanbul court found Saran and his brother, Kenan Saran, guilty of “inciting individuals to engage in illegal betting through advertising or various other means,” handing them both two years and six months in jail.
Local media reported that Saran had consistently denied any wrongdoing during his court defence.
Saran had previously announced his intention to step down from his position, with the club scheduling an extraordinary congress for 6-7 June to determine its new leadership.
This development follows his brief detention earlier this year as part of a wider probe into drug use among Turkish celebrities, though he was subsequently released.
The sentencing comes amid extensive investigations by Turkish authorities into alleged match-fixing and illegal betting across the nation’s professional football leagues.
These probes have led to the suspension of dozens of referees by the Turkish Football Federation, alongside the detention or arrest of several commentators, officials, and players, including those from top-tier clubs.
Fenerbahce’s former chairman, Aziz Yildirim, has announced his candidacy to lead the club, challenging businessman Hakan Safi for the top role.
The Istanbul giants are hoping the new leadership can help them end a 13-year championship drought. Saran is not seeking re-election.
