Lütfi Arıboğan faces up to five years in prison over match-fixing conspiracy probe

Prosecutors in Istanbul have completed an investigation into former Turkish Football Federation (TFF) Vice President Lütfi Arıboğan regarding a match-fixing conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by the FETÖ terrorist organization. An indictment has been submitted to the Istanbul 25th High Criminal Court, seeking a prison sentence of between two years and six months and five years for Arıboğan on charges of knowingly aiding a terrorist organization.

The indictment alleges that during his tenure as TFF Vice President and Executive Board member between 2011 and 2012, Arıboğan managed the sporting aspects of the match-fixing investigation. It claims he shared sensitive information with journalist Mehmet Baransu, including forwarding corporate TFF emails regarding the investigation to his personal account and then to Baransu. This allegedly helped create public opinion against Fenerbahçe SK.

Prosecutors suggest these actions contributed to decisions that prevented Fenerbahçe from participating in the 2011-2012 UEFA Champions League, resulting in significant financial losses for the club. While the indictment states no concrete evidence was found of an organic link between Arıboğan and FETÖ, it argues he managed processes in alignment with the organization's interests. Meanwhile, prosecutors decided not to pursue charges against Ahmet Gülüm, İlhan Helvacı, and Ebru Köksal.