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Turkey rocked by match-fixing probe

Police launched raids in 15 provinces across Turkey on Sunday morning, searching club premises and detaining first division club players and administrators in connection with the allegations.

Turkish political leaders expressed concern at the claims.

"If even five percent of these allegations prove right, it's very grave for Turkish sports. I hope that all this will result in a cleansing," said Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of the ruling AK Party.

"Everyone should know that Fenerbahce Sports Club has never been and will never be engaged in any unlawful and illegal activity. We are proud of our clean and victorious past," the club said on its website.

"Match-fixing earthquake in football," said a banner headline in Milliyet newspaper alongside a photograph of Yildirim being led away by police.

"The judiciary made a decision and started the operation. I hope there won't be any troubling consequences," Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday in his first comments on the matter.

"The investigation shows Turkey is advancing rapidly towards becoming a true state of law," Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said.