Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran was taken into custody in Istanbul on Wednesday, days after forensic tests found traces of narcotics in his hair, state broadcaster TRT reported. The arrest is part of a broader drug investigation that has already brought into custody a range of prominent entertainment and media personalities.
The Arrest
Saran, a dual citizen of Turkey and the United States, was detained just hours after forensic labs confirmed the presence of drugs in his hair samples. He had been summoned last week to testify before prosecutors and was sent to a forensic medical facility to provide both hair and blood samples. The authorities said the evidence from the hair analysis prompted the immediate arrest.
The Investigation
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has overseen the probe since early December, and more than a dozen people have been taken into custody so far. Those arrested include television presenters, journalists, singers, actors and social media personalities. Charges vary from drug production and trafficking to facilitating prostitution. Many of the suspects, like Saran, have undergone both blood and hair testing for narcotics use.
Club’s Response
Fenerbahce released a statement on the social-media platform X, expressing support for its president and assuring fans that club operations would continue uninterrupted. The club said:
> “We have full confidence that our president will overcome this process with the same common sense and fortitude he has always shown,” the club said on X. “Our president, Mr. Sadettin Saran, will put these days behind him and continue to work with determination for our club.”
The statement highlighted the club’s commitment to maintaining its sporting activities despite the legal challenges faced by its leadership.
Saran’s Rebuttal
Earlier on Wednesday, Saran issued a statement rejecting the test result. He insisted that he had never used the drug in question and pledged to formally request a repeat examination. The former Denver-born chairman, elected to the position in September, has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
Background on Fenerbahce
Istanbul-based Fenerbahce is one of Turkey’s most popular and successful sports franchises, fielding teams in football, basketball, volleyball, athletics and swimming, among other sports. The club’s former president, Aziz Yildirim, spent more than a year in jail in 2012 on match-fixing charges. He was later acquitted when a new trial found that the earlier case had been influenced by corrupt judges, prosecutors and police officers. More recently, Fenerbahce has been caught up in a separate investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing across Turkish soccer.
Key Takeaways
- Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran detained in Istanbul after hair tests revealed narcotics.
- The drug probe has already taken more than a dozen entertainment and media figures into custody.
- Fenerbahce vows to keep club operations running while supporting its president.
- Saran disputes the findings and seeks a repeat examination.
- The club’s history includes past legal controversies involving match-fixing.
The arrest of Fenerbahce’s president underscores the expanding reach of Turkey’s drug investigations, which now touch high-profile figures across sports, media and entertainment. The outcome of the legal process will have implications for the club’s future and for the broader landscape of Turkish sports governance.
Closing
As the investigation continues, all eyes remain on Fenerbahce and its leadership. The club’s statement of confidence reflects its determination to navigate the legal challenges while maintaining its status as a premier sporting institution in Turkey.
