The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has recently taken significant disciplinary action against the country’s professional football scene. This follows a major investigation into unauthorized betting practices within the sport. A total of 1,024 players were suspended from their respective leagues, prompting the postponement of matches in Turkey’s third and fourth divisions for two weeks.
Details of the Investigation
The scandal first gained widespread attention on October 27, when TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu revealed connections between referees and betting accounts. Investigations revealed that of the 571 referees officiating in Turkey’s professional leagues, 371 were found to have betting accounts, with 152 actively placing wagers.
Referee Statistics
- 7 referees and 15 assistant referees from the top two divisions were implicated.
- 36 classified referees and 94 assistants from lower divisions were also involved.
- 10 referees were reported to have placed over 10,000 bets each.
- One referee alone placed an astonishing 18,227 bets.
- 142 referees had wagers on more than 1,000 matches.
Such actions are in violation of TFF, FIFA, and UEFA regulations, which prohibit players, coaches, and officials from engaging in betting activities.
A Broader Crackdown
In conjunction with the suspensions, Turkish prosecutors have issued detention orders for 21 individuals, including 17 referees and two football club presidents. Murat Ozkaya, the chairman of Super Lig team Eyupspor, is among those arrested, alongside six referees and another individual.
Statements from Involved Parties
One player, Elmali, took to Instagram to clarify his situation amidst the scandal. He stated that his name appeared in the investigation due to a bet placed on a match involving his former team, without his consent or knowledge. He emphasized that he has had no connection to the betting world since that incident.
Galatasaray has expressed its intent to closely monitor the ongoing situation, recognizing the sensitivities involved in the investigation.
As the TFF continues its investigation, the integrity of Turkish football remains under scrutiny, and further developments are anticipated in the coming weeks.
