Turkish authorities detain 32 suspects, including football club executives, in a nationwide probe into match-fixing and illegal betting across professional leagues.

ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities detained 32 suspects on Friday as part of a widening investigation into alleged match-fixing and illegal betting in the country’s professional leagues.

The Istanbul prosecutor’s office stated the suspects included executives of football clubs. It said the suspects were identified as having placed bets on matches involving their own teams, including wagers on opposing teams during official fixtures.

Police carried out operations across 10 provinces to capture the suspects. Efforts were underway to apprehend one remaining suspect.

The prosecutor’s office did not name the suspects or specify which clubs they were affiliated with. Turkish authorities have been conducting a series of investigations and detentions into illegal betting and match-fixing in professional football, including the top-tier Super Lig.

The Turkish football federation has already suspended 149 referees and assistants over betting on games. Dozens of individuals, including club chairmen, top-tier players, and commentators, have been detained or arrested as part of the ongoing probes.

 The Sun Malaysia