Summary
- Full name: Evren Eren Elmalı
- Date of birth: July 7, 2000
- Place of birth: Kartal, Turkey
- Current football team: Galatasaray
- Position and number: Left-back, 17
- Skills and traits: crossing ability, defensive positioning, tactical discipline, ball control under pressure, strength in duels
Football fans across the globe have undoubtedly heard the name Eren Elmali. The famous Galatasaray defender has a growing fanbase, most notably on Instagram, where more than one million people follow him. Despite Eren Elmali's popularity, some fans may have missed his controversial involvement in the Turkish Football Federation betting probe. The massive Turkey football betting scandal from 2025 shook the sport and raised concerns after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) uncovered an investigation involving more than 1,000 football officials.
Who is Eren Elmali
Born on July 7, 2000, in Kartal, a municipality and district of Istanbul Province, Turkey, Evren Eren Elmali is known for his play as a left-back for Süper Lig club Galatasaray. Equally as important, Eren Elmali also played on the Turkey national team. His youth football career began with Kartal S.K., a Kartal-based club, as well as the Turkish professional football club based in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü. Eren Elmali career turned to professional sports after he signed a contract with Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü in 2019. After that, for the 2019-2020 season, Eren Elmali briefly played with Silivri-based Turkish sports club, Silivrispor, in the TFF First League. Returning to Kasımpaşa Spor Kulübü after he was loaned to Silivrispor, he played for the former during the 2020-2021 season. January 11, 2021, marked the professional debut of Elmali, who played in a match between Kasımpaşa and Alanyaspor Kulübü. That particular match in the Süper Lig, which is the top-flight football league in Turkey, resulted in a 2-1 win for Kasımpaşa. Continuing his professional football career, in July 2022, Eren Elmali transferred to Trabzonspor Kulübü. After his three-year contract with Trabzonspor, Eren Elmali football career hit a major milestone when he signed a 3.5-year contract with the famous Turkish football team, Galatasaray Spor Kulübü. While his career at Galatasaray started early in February 2025, in November, Eren Elmali was temporarily banned from football. His involvement in the Turkish Football Federation betting probe cast a shadow on his career after receiving a ban for 45 days from the sport on November 13, 2025.
Turkish football betting investigation highlights
Early in October, the TFF released a statement confirming disciplinary referrals for more than 1,000 footballers, including players, coaches and other personnel. Per the announcement, an investigation into professional leagues uncovered that individuals involved in football professionally have placed bets on sports. As a result, citing Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Regulations, the TFF confirmed it has decided to refer 1,024 football players and staff to the Disciplinary Committee of the Turkish Football Federation (PFDK). Due to the provisional referral of these 1024 footballers to the PFDK, discussions have been urgently initiated with FIFA to grant clubs an additional 15-day transfer and registration period, on top of the 2025-2026 winter transfer window, to allow them to fill squad deficiencies, the TFF's statement further explained. The Federation added: The disciplinary proceedings against 47 footballers, who were found to have engaged in only one instance of betting activity, will be evaluated based on new evidence and information obtained from the relevant institutions in order to avoid causing irreparable harm. Shockingly, Eren Elmali was on the list of football players released by the TFF. He had just joined Galatasaray earlier in 2025 and was, in fact, part of the national team roster. However, as noted, the Turkey national team betting scandal briefly impacted Eren Elmali's career, banning him from playing for 45 days. Once the scandal broke out, he wasn't included in Turkey's national team roster for the World Cup.
Eren Elmali addresses his involvement in the betting investigation
Considering Eren Elmali's temporary ban and removal from Turkey's national team squad for the World Cup in light of the TFF disciplinary investigation, the star football player released a statement via his personal page on Instagram. Addressing the issue head-on, Eren Elmali acknowledged media reports mentioning his name in relation to the Turkish football betting investigation. The Galatasaray defender explained: First of all, I would like to clearly outline that the reason my name appears in the file (investigation) is a betting transaction placed approximately five years ago on a match not related to my own team. Eren Elmali further wrote: Since that day, I have neither placed a bet nor had any connection to such cases whatsoever. Eren Elmali further wrote that football isn't only his profession but a passion at the center of his life. I have always lived this passion with honesty, hard work and the effort I show on the field. I have reached where I am today through these values, the footballer's statement read. Speaking about his professional career, the Galatasaray defender acknowledged that he has never engaged in any behavior that would breach sportsmanship, ethical principles or the values set out by the club he plays with. At the same time, Eren Elmali confirmed that he has always been careful not to cause any disappointment to himself, the club, his family or his fan base. I will continue to maintain the same stance from now on, the football player concluded. Early in January, Eren Elmali released a separate statement. Being away from my team for a while and not being able to help my team has been very difficult for me, he wrote. Finally, Elmali pointed out: Being able to make our community happy with a goal today, after always being behind me during this period, is very precious to me. Eren Elmali's fans, along with football aficionados, showed support for him during this difficult time. Discussions online often criticize his 45-day ban, with some users acknowledging this was an unnecessary and disproportionate penalty. Others say that the temporary suspension shouldn't have been imposed at all, considering the incident isn't related to a team he played at and happened years ago.
Eren Elmali is still seen as a rising talent with a promising future in football
Many football fans recognize Eren Elmali for his energetic playstyle. As a left-back, he successfully combines strong defense discipline with accurate crossing, forward runs and demonstrates positional awareness. Eren Elmali's professional play and exceptional skill made him a natural fit for the Turkish national team. Despite the Turkish Football Federation betting probe and temporary suspension, Elmali has continuously reaffirmed his dedication to integrity and professionalism. Considering his young age, significant experience, ongoing development and commitment to football, it is safe to say that Eren Elmali has a bright future in the sport.
