The Turkish Football Federation referred 13 individuals from Trabzonspor, including club president Ertuğrul Doğan, to the disciplinary committee on September 30, 2026, amid an investigation into sports betting involving 448 officials and administrators across top-tier Turkish clubs over the past five years.
A sweeping investigation into sports betting across Turkish football has hit one of the country’s most prominent clubs. The Turkish Football Federation targeted 448 individuals who held administrative roles in the Super Lig and First League over the last five years. Among the affected organizations, Trabzonspor has 13 referrals, alongside Besiktas with 10, Galatasaray with five, and Fenerbahce with three. The disciplinary actions apply precautionary measures starting September 30, 2026, under Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Regulation.
Trabzonspor Leadership Named in the Disciplinary Referral List
The Trabzonspor contingent sent to the Professional Football Disciplinary Committee includes top executives and board members who managed the club during the five-year window examined by investigators. The list features club president Ertuğrul Doğan alongside multiple vice presidents and administrative staff.
- Ertuğrul Doğan (President)
- İbrahim Şahinkaya (Vice President)
- Ziyat Kafkas (Vice President)
- Murat İskender (Vice President)
- Kemal Ertürk (Vice President)
- Taner Fikret Saral (Vice President)
- Şenol Kaynar (Board Member)
- Semih Hekimoğlu (Board Member)
- Derviş Köz (Treasurer)
- Yalçín Orhan (Former Sporting Director)
- Lokman Sadık (Former Board Member)
- Abdulkadir Ferda (Former Board Member)
- Ceyhun Eskici (Former Board Member)
Ertuğrul Doğan Defends Club Leadership Amid Betting Probe
Club president Ertuğrul Doğan broke his silence regarding the inquiry, pointing out an informational gap between regulatory warnings and club administrators. While referees and coaches received direct guidance during meetings, management personnel were not briefed on the same restrictions.
“I am a frank person, and everyone knows me. I am in my ninth year in management. Such matters were not on the agenda before. The Turkish Federation used to inform officials about these things in the past, but it did not inform the officials this time” Ertuğrul Doğan, Trabzonspor President, via Misrelgdeda
Doğan admitted that an administrative shortcoming occurred, noting that betting companies previously served as club sponsors and that betting events took place at federation headquarters. He also stated that his own betting account had been closed long before the events under investigation.
“I had an account that was closed previously. These companies were sponsors for the clubs, and parties to announce them were organized” Ertuğrul Doğan, Trabzonspor President, via Kooora
Broader Context in Turkish Football
By examining administrative accounts spanning a five-year period, the governing body has widened its scope beyond players and on-field personnel to encompass boardroom executives, treasurers, and sporting directors.
With the disciplinary committee set to review the files, Trabzonspor and the other affected clubs face potential sanctions as the governing body processes the referrals.
