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Turkish Soccer Imposes Temporary Bans on 102 Players over Betting Scandal

Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Turkish Soccer Imposes Temporary Bans on 102 Players over Betting Scandal

Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali, left, and Frankfurt’s Nnamdi Collins jump for a header during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Turkish soccer temporarily banned 102 top-tier club players on Thursday over a widening betting scandal.

The Turkish Football Federation suspended 25 players from the Super Lig and 77 from the second-tier first division for terms ranging from 45 days to one year.

Galatasaray and Türkiye defender Eren Elmali was suspended for 45 days. Club teammate and Türkiye Under-21 center back Metehan Baltaci was suspended for nine months. Konyaspor and Senegal winger Alassane Ndao received a 12-month suspension.

Elmali posted on Instagram this week that he bet on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team. He joined Galatasaray this year, The AP news reported.

Baltacı also admitted past bets but insisted they were not games he played in.

“Years ago I placed a bet at a time when I couldn’t fully grasp the seriousness of the matter," he said. “I want to make it clear that this action had nothing to do with matches played by the teams I represented.”

The bans apply to matches but the players can continue training, Haberturk television reported.

More than 1,000 players have been referred to the federation’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board in the ongoing investigation.

The federation has shut down the third- and fourth-tier divisions for two weeks but allowed the Super Lig — led by defending champion Galatasaray — and second tier to continue.

Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu vowed this week to cleanse Turkish soccer from corruption, scandal and unethical practices.

“We took office 16 months ago with a promise to elevate Turkish football to the level it deserves," he said. “We will not compromise in our fight to protect Turkish football from scandal, decay, and corrupt relationships.”

Turkish soccer has been rocked by investigations into alleged widespread betting by referees, and now players, on games which is prohibited by FIFA.

More than 150 referees are alleged to have bet on games, including seven who are approved to handle top-level games and 15 top-level assistants.

The scandal is a setback to Turkish soccer's revival in recent years.

The country will co-host the men’s 2032 European Championship with Italy, the national team reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul has been picked by UEFA to stage several finals in European club competitions.

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Norris Says F1 Title Means Everything and he Has Most to Lose Ahead of Abu Dhabi Decider

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 5, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 5, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
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Norris Says F1 Title Means Everything and he Has Most to Lose Ahead of Abu Dhabi Decider

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 5, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki
Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 5, 2025 McLaren's Lando Norris arrives ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Lando Norris says winning the Formula One world championship would mean everything to him, but being the frontrunner also means he has most to lose.

The Briton goes into Sunday's three-way title decider in Abu Dhabi 12 points clear of Red Bull's Max Verstappen with McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri a further four behind.

Norris could have wrapped the title up in Qatar last weekend, had results gone his way, and will do so at Yas Marina if he finishes on the podium. Anything less than that opens the door to his rivals.

"I guess in terms of position, of course, I have the most to lose because I am the one at the top," he told reporters.

"And I’ll do my best to stay there till the end of the year, a few more days. At the same time, if it doesn’t go my way, then I try again next year. It’ll hurt probably for a little while, but then, yeah, that’s life. I’ll crack on and try and do better next season."

Norris said, somewhat unconvincingly, that he had nothing to lose because it was "just" a race for the championship and he was "not too bothered". He then undermined that attempt at nonchalance by recognizing, in his answer to another question, just how much it really did matter.

"I think this has been my whole life. It's everything I've worked towards my whole life. So, it would mean the world to me," Reuters quoted him as saying.

"It would mean the world to everyone that’s supported me and pushed me for the last, what is it, like 16 years of my life in terms of trying to get to this point. So, it would mean everything. It would mean my life until now has been a success, and I’ve accomplished that dream I had when I was a kid."

Norris would be the 11th British world champion if he succeeds, while Verstappen would be adding a fifth title to his resume.

Piastri can become the first Australian in 45 years to become Formula One champion, following on from Alan Jones in 1980 and the late triple world champion Jack Brabham whose last title came in 1966.

Verstappen has said he had nothing to lose, having all but ruled out his chances as far back as August before staging an astonishing comeback, while Piastri told reporters he had the least to lose.

Sports

Prolific Kane and Undav Face Off as Bayern Head to Stuttgart

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is again scoring better than a goal a game this league campaign. Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is again scoring better than a goal a game this league campaign. Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
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Prolific Kane and Undav Face Off as Bayern Head to Stuttgart

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is again scoring better than a goal a game this league campaign. Odd ANDERSEN / AFP
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is again scoring better than a goal a game this league campaign. Odd ANDERSEN / AFP

League leaders Bayern Munich travel to Stuttgart on Saturday, setting the scene for a battle between the Bundesliga's two in-form goal getters: Harry Kane and Deniz Undav.

With 14 goals in 12 league matches this season, England captain Kane is once again scoring better than a goal a game for the Bavarian giants.

In Stuttgart's corner, Germany striker Undav has roared back into form in recent weeks. In his past six games in all competitions, the 29-year-old has eight goals and two assists.

The one-time Brighton forward is averaging two goals a game in his past three Bundesliga matches.

Undav is scoring so often, he has lost count.

"I don't know myself how many I've scored," Undav said after celebrating by counting his fingers then shrugging his shoulders.

"I'll take the hot streak in my stride. I'll try to keep going like this and to help the team."

Bayern boast the best defense in the league but have been leaking goals lately, conceding 11 in their past six fixtures in all competitions, setting the stage for a high-scoring showdown.

On Wednesday, Bayern beat Union Berlin to reach the last eight of the German Cup, but gave away two penalties -- with veteran Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer conceding two spot-kicks in one match for the first time in his career.

After the match, Kane told journalists it showed the side were able to dig deep and win in different ways.

"This was a different type of game that we had to show a bit more character, a bit more togetherness and we've done that really well, Kane said.

"I think you saw the celebrations by us at the end. It was an important moment for our season."

The two sides already met once this season at the same venue in the season-opening Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup, with defending league champions Bayern beating German Cup holders Stuttgart 2-1.

On Saturday, second-placed RB Leipzig will hope to keep pace with league leaders Bayern when they host Eintracht Frankfurt.

Elsewhere, third-placed Borussia Dortmund host Hoffenheim on Sunday. Relegation battlers last season, Hoffenheim have risen to fifth this campaign.

Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi's talents have long been obvious, but under coach Niko Kovac, the Germany forward has been able to show his skills on a more consistent basis.

Kovac has repeatedly said the lightning-quick Adeyemi has been "kissed by God" -- something the 23-year-old says he is well aware of.

"This is something he has said to me many times, that I might have a few gifts that not everybody has," Adeyemi told the Bundesliga website Thursday, but added: "Having these gifts and not using them is another matter.

"I try to work hard and use these God-given talents in my game. Otherwise it would be wasted talent."

With four goals so far this season -- and two in his past two games -- Adeyemi is on track for his most productive season since joining Dortmund in 2022.

Sports

'Annoying' Raphinha Pulling Barca Towards their Best

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha celebrates after scoring against Atletico Madrid. Josep LAGO / AFP
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha celebrates after scoring against Atletico Madrid. Josep LAGO / AFP
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'Annoying' Raphinha Pulling Barca Towards their Best

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha celebrates after scoring against Atletico Madrid. Josep LAGO / AFP
Barcelona's Brazilian forward Raphinha celebrates after scoring against Atletico Madrid. Josep LAGO / AFP

Forward Raphinha's comeback from injury has helped Barcelona edge back towards their best form and helped the Catalans reclaim top spot in La Liga.

The Brazilian will likely be the first name on coach Hansi Flick's team sheet for the tricky trip to face Real Betis on Saturday as Barca bid to, at least temporarily, move four points clear of Real Madrid, AFP reported.

Raphinha struck against Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou on Tuesday night, as Flick's side secured a crucial victory against a title rival, and created two goals in the win over Alaves last weekend, on his first start since a hamstring injury in September.

Last season, he was vital for Barca as they stormed to a domestic double, racking up 34 goals and 26 assists across 57 appearances in all competitions.

It was only enough for Raphinha to finish fifth in the Ballon d'Or rankings -- much to his chagrin, as evidenced by a series of posts on social media highlighting his own accomplishments.

Raphinha found Atletico coach Diego Simeone in his corner this week.

"Raphinha plays (all over the pitch)... he scores, he presses. I don't know how he didn't win the Ballon d'Or," Simeone told Movistar after his team's defeat.

Barcelona coach Flick is also grateful to have the 28-year-old back at his disposal.

"When he's on the pitch, he increases the dynamic level and the intensity," enthused Flick after the Atletico win.

"Everyone is affected by that. You can see it on the pitch. Also, the positive things he gave us today was so amazing and so important."

Raphinha is a leader for Barcelona on the pitch, pressing opponents and calling on his team-mates to do the same when they are slacking. He is vital in Flick's system to stop opponents capitalizing on Barca's high defensive line.

"I often feel like I'm being a bit pushy, too much. There are many times my team-mates think I talk too much, that I'm annoying, and that I demand too much from them, but that's just who I am," said Raphinha last week.

"I demand more from people who I know can give much more. Someone has to, and I accept this responsibility, then in the dressing room we hug and celebrate the victory."

Even Flick came in line for a Raphinha pep talk, with the German coach caught sitting on his team's bench alone and looking surprisingly despondent following the win over Alaves.

Raphinha tried to cheer up his coach, but it took the win over Atletico to lighten Flick's mood, and following that up with a victory in Seville would raise his spirits further.

On Sunday, Real Madrid, who currently trail Barca by a point, host Celta Vigo. Los Blancos ended a run of three consecutive league draws on Wednesday with a 3-0 triumph at Athletic Bilbao.

Player to watch: Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid striker Alvarez has fallen out of form in recent weeks, particularly on the road. The Argentina international will look to turn that around as Atletico visit Bilbao, also aiming to give fresh life to his team's title bid following their midweek defeat by Barcelona at Camp Nou.