Fenerbahce President Sadettin Saran Detained After Positive Drug Test

Last Updated:December 25, 2025, 09:30 IST

Sadettin Saran, Fenerbahce president, was detained in Istanbul after narcotics traces were found in his hair amid a drug probe involving Turkish media and entertainment figures.

Fenerbahce released a statement expressing their support to Sadettin Saran. (AP Photo)

The president of Fenerbahce, one of Turkey’s leading sports clubs, was taken into custody in Istanbul on Wednesday amid a broadening drug investigation involving notable figures from the entertainment and media industries, according to state media.

Sadettin Saran, who holds dual citizenship in Turkey and the United States, was detained after forensic tests found narcotics in his hair samples, state broadcaster TRT reported. This followed his summoning last week to testify before prosecutors and provide hair and blood samples at a forensic medical facility.

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has overseen the investigation since early December, leading to the detention of more than a dozen individuals, including television presenters, journalists, singers, actors, and social media personalities. They face various charges, such as drug production, trafficking, and facilitating prostitution, with many subjected to blood and hair tests for narcotics use.

Saran, born in Denver and elected Fenerbahce’s chairman in September, was questioned last week on allegations of supplying and enabling the use of narcotic substances. In response, Fenerbahce issued a statement supporting Saran and assuring fans that the club’s activities would remain unaffected.

The club expressed confidence in Saran’s ability to navigate the situation, stating he would continue to work diligently for the club. Earlier on Wednesday, Saran denied the test results, asserting he had never used the drug and would formally request a retest.

Fenerbahce, based in Istanbul, is one of Turkey’s most popular and successful sports franchises. The club’s former president, Aziz Yildirim, was jailed for over a year in 2012 on match-fixing charges, but was later acquitted when a retrial revealed corruption among judges, prosecutors, and police officers. The club is also involved in a separate investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing in Turkish soccer, and competes in various other sports such as basketball, volleyball, athletics, and swimming.

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