Fenerbahce President arrested after testing positive for cocaine

Turkish authorities have arrested Fenerbahce Sports Club President Sadettin Saran, less than four months after he took office, as part of a sweeping narcotics investigation. 

The arrest follows forensic hair tests that detected traces of cocaine, marking a new low for Turkish sport following a massive illegal betting scandal that has already rocked the country.

The Gendarmerie Provincial Administration detained Saran at the club’s presidential office on Wednesday evening. This move follows his summons last week, where he provided blood and hair samples for analysis. According to state broadcaster TRT, the arrest was triggered just hours after the Forensic Medicine Institute confirmed the positive result.

Fenerbahce released a public statement via social media confirming the arrest while the investigation into “supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics” continues.

Club stands by Saran

The club has expressed unwavering support for its leader, who was elected in September 2025. «We have absolute confidence that our president will overcome this process with common sense and fortitude,» the official announcement read.

Fenerbahce officials, including Board Chairman Sekip Mosturoglu and the club’s legal team, are currently accompanying Saran through the legal proceedings. The club insisted that «work carried out in the interests of our club will continue uninterrupted» while the case remains under the authority of the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office.

A summer of scandals

This arrest adds to the turmoil in Turkish sports, coming on the heels of the October 2025 betting scandal that saw over 1,000 players and hundreds of referees investigated for illegal gambling.

The narcotics probe is reportedly widening, with several high-profile figures from the Turkish media and entertainment sectors already ensnared. Authorities are specifically investigating whether Saran played a role in providing drugs to others or facilitating their use, charges that carry significant prison sentences in Turkey.