Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran jailed over illegal betting scandal

Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison by an Istanbul court for inciting illegal betting.

The significant ruling arrives just days before the Turkish giants are scheduled to elect a new president at an extraordinary congress.

Judges found the sports executive and his brother, Kenan Saran, guilty of encouraging individuals to engage in illicit gambling through advertising and other means.

Local media reports indicate the departing chief consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout his legal defence.

Elections overshadowed by controversy

Saran had already announced his intention to step down from his leadership role prior to the conviction.

The club will convene on 6 and 7 June to determine a successor capable of ending a frustrating 13-year championship drought.

Former chairman Aziz Yildirim has announced his candidacy in a bid to return to the presidency.

He will face a direct challenge from businessman Hakan Safi for overall control of the Istanbul institution.

Wider Turkish football crisis

This high-profile sentencing comes amid extensive ongoing investigations by authorities into alleged match-fixing and illegal gambling across the nation.

The sprawling probe has severely disrupted domestic competitions during the current campaign.

The Turkish Football Federation has suspended dozens of referees as a direct consequence of these widening inquiries.

Several commentators, match officials, and top-tier players have also faced detention or arrest as authorities continue their crackdown.

This latest legal setback for Saran follows a brief, unrelated detention earlier this year connected to a separate probe into drug use among Turkish celebrities.