Fenerbahce chairman Sadettin Saran receives prison term for promoting unlawful betting

An Istanbul court has ruled that Saran and his brother, Kenan Saran, each received a sentence of two years and six months in prison for 'encouraging people to participate in illegal betting via adverts or other methods'.

Local media reported that Sadettin Saran had refuted any allegations of wrongdoing in his defence statement to the court.

Earlier this year, Saran was briefly held by authorities as part of a broad investigation into drug use among Turkish celebrities, but was later released. He subsequently declared that he would resign from his post, and in March the club announced an extraordinary congress scheduled for June 6th to 7th.

Turkish authorities have carried out extensive investigations concerning alleged match fixing and illicit betting in the nation's professional football divisions.

The Turkish Football Federation suspended dozens of referees, and several commentators, officials, and players from top tier clubs were detained or arrested as part of the inquiry.

Aziz Yildirim, the former chairman of Fenerbahce, has put himself forward as a candidate to lead the club. He will compete against businessman Hakan Safi, as the Istanbul club aims to end its 13 year wait for a league title. Saran is not standing for election.