A court in Constantinople imposed a 2.5-year prison sentence on Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran for his involvement in an illegal betting ring.

Saran was accused of advertising illegal betting companies through football match broadcasts on the S Sport network. He stated in his defense: “We are engaged in sports broadcasting, both inside and outside Turkey; we are not involved in promoting illegal betting. It is impossible for us to intervene in what appears on advertising boards.”

The 62-year-old was also fined 562,000 Turkish lira. At the same time, elections for the club’s next president are expected to take place on June 6 and 7. It is noted that the same sentence was also imposed on Saran’s brother, Alan Kenan, although the decision is not final, with the brothers’ lawyers stating that an appeal will be filed.