Sports · Football · 14 hrs ago
Mert Hakan Yandaş returns for Fenerbahçe after 568 days
Mert Hakan Yandaş returned to action for Fenerbahçe against Alanyaspor in the Turkish league.
He came on in the 76th minute, 568 days after his previous official match, which was against Bodrum FK on March 28, 2025.
His absence followed a betting investigation and a disciplinary case.
He was held in custody for about four months and released after a hearing in early April 2026.
The Turkish Football Federation’s disciplinary board gave him a 12-month ban, later reduced to six months on appeal.
Yandaş was not in Fenerbahçe’s UEFA squad, and he was aiming to regain match fitness in league games.
Mert Hakan Yandaş returned to official action for Fenerbahçe on 17 October 2026, coming on in the 76th minute against Alanyaspor.
The appearance ended a 568-day absence from official matches.
His previous official match for Fenerbahçe was against Bodrum FK on 28 March 2025.
His absence included about four months in detention and a football ban that was reduced from 12 months to six.
- Who
- Mert Hakan Yandaş, Fenerbahçe’s experienced midfielder.
- What
- He returned to official action, coming on as a substitute against Alanyaspor.
- When
- 17 October 2026, in the 76th minute.
- Where
- The Fenerbahçe-Alanyaspor match in the Turkish Süper Lig. The venue is not stated.
- Why
- His return followed a long absence that included detention and a football ban, which was reduced from 12 months to six.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Yandaş came on as a substitute against Bodrum FK in his last official match before his absence.
He was detained in connection with the football betting investigation and sent to Silivri Prison.
He was released after about four months in detention.
The TFF Professional Football Disciplinary Board imposed a 12-month ban for betting-related conduct.
The TFF Arbitration Board reduced the ban to six months after Fenerbahçe appealed.
Yandaş came on in the 76th minute against Alanyaspor, ending a 568-day absence from official matches.
- Previous official match
- Bodrum FK, 28 March 2025
- Time out of official matches
- 568 days
- Return match
- Fenerbahçe vs Alanyaspor, Turkish Süper Lig week 8
- Substitution
- 76th minute
- Disciplinary ban
- Reduced from 12 months to six months
- Detention
- About four months in Silivri Prison