15 Arrested in Turkish Soccer Match Fixing Scandal

A Turkish court arrested 15 people, including an executive of soccer league champion Fenerbahce SK and a former national team player, as part of an investigation into alleged match fixing, state news agency Anatolia reported.

The Istanbul court jailed the 15 pending trial and also issued a warrant for Fenerbahce head Aziz Yildirim, who is being treated in hospital. Yildirim Demiroren, chairman of Istanbul club Besiktas JK, is expected to testify to the inquiry today.

Among the jailed were Fenerbahce Vice Chairman Sekip Mosturoglu, and Umit Karan, a former national striker who played last season for Eskisehirspor.

Police said yesterday they have evidence of illegal attempts to influence the outcome of 19 matches in the country’s top two leagues. Fenerbahce won the championship and may be stripped of the title.