Executives of Galatasaray to stand trial due to suspicions of illicit betting advertisement on team jerseys
The Galatasaray football club is currently under investigation in Turkey for an alleged illegal betting advertisement that occurred during a 2024 Super Lig match against Çaykur Rizespor. The controversy centres around a sponsorship deal between Galatasaray and Serwin Global Solutions SDN BHD, which reportedly valued at $14.06 million plus VAT for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 seasons[1].
The advertisement promoted "meritking.news," a betting site, which was displayed on the team's shirts. This move was deemed to have violated Turkish Law No. 7258, which imposes prison terms of one to three years and heavy fines for promoting unlicensed betting or games of chance[2].
Initially, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office closed the investigation without charges. However, the decision was appealed by Türkiye’s state-run Milli Piyango administration and Sports Toto Organization. As a result, an Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of Peace ruled on July 27 that the advertisement constitutes a criminal offense[3].
The court found sufficient suspicion to proceed and lifted previous non-prosecution decisions for Galatasaray board member Eray Yazgan and other yet-to-be-identified officials involved in signing the sponsorship deal[4]. The case file has been sent back to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges against the identified officials[5].
Galatasaray has denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that no financial gain was derived from the controversial sponsorship and asserting full regulatory compliance[6]. The club vowed to pursue legal action to protect its reputation and pledged full cooperation with authorities, insisting its name remains "beyond reproach" amid allegations of encouraging illegal gambling[7].
The controversy has also drawn criticism from rival clubs such as Fenerbahçe, who have accused Galatasaray of fraud related to tickets and betting advertising, further inflaming the dispute[8].
It's important to note that the court's ruling does not affect the suspension of the sponsorship deal between Galatasaray and Serwin Global Solutions SDN BHD[9]. Moreover, the court's ruling does not directly impact the ongoing investigation into the betting advertisement on Galatasaray's jerseys and LED boards during the 2024 Super Lig match[10].
The ongoing legal proceedings against Galatasaray executives could potentially have significant implications for the future of sports sponsorship deals in Turkey. The case highlights the issue of illegal betting in Türkiye, which poses a growing threat to the country's financial system[11].
References: 1. Galatasaray Signs Sponsorship Deal with Serwin Global Solutions SDN BHD 2. Turkish Law No. 7258 3. Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of Peace Ruling 4. Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of Peace's Decision 5. Case File Sent Back for Formal Charges 6. Galatasaray Denies Wrongdoing 7. Galatasaray Vows Legal Action 8. [Fenerbahçe Accuses Galatasaray of Fraud](https://www.milliyet.com.tr/spor/fenerbahce-galatasaray-ile-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun-oyun
- The controversy surrounding the Galatasaray football club's alleged illegal betting advertisement is a topic of general news and crime-and-justice in Turkey, particularly in Turkey's legal system, as it involves the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of Peace and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
- On the sports front, the ongoing investigation into the sponsorship deal between Galatasaray and Serwin Global Solutions SDN BHD, centering around football, could potentially set a precedent for future sports sponsorship deals in Turkey.
- Football enthusiasts in Istanbul, Turkiye, may find the controversy involving Galatasaray unexpected, as the crisis is not exclusively linked to the world of sports, but also intertwined with issues of crime-and-justice and general news.
