Members of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, reacted to the match-fixing probe scandal launched Sunday, with Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç saying the probe showed Turkey was moving toward becoming a real state of law.

Forty-six people, including Fenerbahçe Club President Aziz Yıldırım, were detained on Sunday in the largest match-fixing probe in the country’s history.

The suspects have been charged with “forming, directing and being a member of an armed criminal organization,” daily Hürriyet reported on its website.

Deputy Prime Minister Arınç commented on the issue. “This [probe] shows that Turkey is quickly moving toward becoming a real state of law.”

Former Interior Minister Beşir Atalay said the AKP’s term in office is underlined with fight against gangs, mafia and criminal organizations. “Be it sports or any other matter, Turkey is becoming a transparent society.”

Former Parliamentary Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin said there were indications of such corruption in the football league during his term in office, but there were no laws to act upon the allegations. “This [probe] is saddening for Turkish football’s past, but hopeful for its future.”

AKP Deputy Leader Hüseyin Çelik said it would be terrible even if only 5 percent of the accusations were true. “Everyone should work clean. Clean politics, clean sports, clean journalism.”

Newly elected AKP deputy and former national football player Hakan Şükür said the allegations were very serious and that he hoped the accused would be acquitted.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chose not to comment on the probe on Sunday but did say it was the decision of the judiciary and the police acted on it. “I hope this does not cause an upsetting situation,” he said.

Fenerbahce President Aziz Yıldırım hospitalized

Yıldırım fell ill and was taken to Haseki Training and Research Hospital on Monday morning. He was taken to the c-scan unit and returned to the police station after his tests were completed. Yıldırım suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

Stocks plummet as fans show support

Fenerbahçe stocks on the Istanbul Stock Exchange took a 10 percent dive in Monday’s opening.

Fenerbahçe fans, meanwhile, are planning to gather at Fenerbahçe’s Şükrü Saraçoğlu stadium in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district at 6 p.m. to show their support for the club and its president.

Fenerbahçe is one the biggest and wealthiest teams in the Turkish football league. It was founded in 1907 in Istanbul’s Kadıköy’s district. The club has won the league championship 18 times, including this year.

It stands as the team with the most championships, followed by arch-rival Galatasaray with 17

 

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