Turkiye: Osimhen's Teammates Eren and Metehan Indicted In Betting Scandal

Another crisis has arisen in the Turkish Süper Lig after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) revealed that 1,047 footballers have been involved in betting. Out of these, 47 footballers had participated in betting only once, according to the TFF.

Osimhen’s teammates Eren Elmalı and Metehan Baltacı are among those involved. Metehan is not a key player for Galatasaray, and the club’s fans have even wished for him to be dropped from the rotation, as he is believed to enjoy Galatasaray’s success without contributing a dime.

Eren Elmalı, however, became a key player for Galatasaray, making a huge contribution last year after transferring from Trabzonspor to Galatasaray during the mid-season break. He helped Galatasaray secure its third consecutive Turkish Süper Lig title, filling the club’s need for a left-back due to İsmail Jakobs’ constant injuries.

This season, Jakobs has quickly replaced Eren as a starter, especially in the UEFA Champions League. While Jakobs is solid defensively, Galatasaray fans have often remarked that Eren’s offensive contributions offer more options than Jakobs.

Elmalı played once as a left winger and scored twice at the start of the league. Eren’s offense seems less serious compared to Metehan. Firstly, neither of these two footballers had placed bets while wearing Galatasaray colors. It is said that these bets happened five years ago, when Eren made a single bet while playing in the Turkish lower leagues for Silivrispor on a team in the Bundesliga. As for Metehan, he is said to have placed 1,600 bets while playing for İstanbulspor and Eyüpspor.

Eren and Metehan have been referred to the PFDK under Article 57 of the Turkish Football Federation rules.

Both Eren, Metehan, and Galatasaray have released statements regarding the matter:

Eren stated:

> “The reason my name appears in this case is due to a betting transaction related to a team other than my own, which happened about five years ago. Since that day, I have neither placed any bets nor had the slightest connection to this matter.”

Galatasaray wrote:

> “As Galatasaray Sports Club, our stance has always been clear regarding the protection of ethical values, honesty, and fair competition in Turkish football.

As we have emphasized in our previous statements, our fight on this matter is a special issue that cannot be compromised in terms of the reliability and reputation of football.

Our club is carefully following the details of the incident and expects the process to be completed as quickly as possible so that justice can be served in the most correct way. Galatasaray, as always, stands on the side of justice, honesty, and fair competition.

The public is respectfully informed.”