The Turkish Football Federation confirmed that 152 active referees placed bets on matches ranging from youth leagues to some in the First Division
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Football in Türkiye is experiencing one of the greatest crises in its recent history. The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) revealed that more than a hundred active referees participated in sports betting, a practice strictly prohibited for those who are supposed to ensure justice on the field. The scandal, which even affects the First Division, has caused concern both nationally and internationally.
According to TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, out of a total of 571 active referees, 152 were found betting on matches, and another 371 maintained active accounts with various betting companies.
152 árbitros fueron detectados apostando
Among those involved are seven top-tier referees, a fact that worsens the situation due to its impact on the competition's credibility. One of the most serious cases is that of a referee who placed more than 18,000 bets, while another ten exceeded 10,000 transactions, according to federation reports.
The TFF announced that disciplinary proceedings will begin immediately, in coordination with the Turkish government. The files will be referred to the Disciplinary Council (PFDK) and will be judged under Law No. 6222, which regulates offenses related to sports. The cases may be reviewed within a five-year statute of limitations.
The scandal has already been officially reported to FIFA and UEFA, which have requested detailed reports on the progress of the investigation. Meanwhile, the federation has launched a campaign for referee renewal and training with the aim of "guaranteeing a clean, transparent, and resilient structure."
La TFF ya le comunicó la situación a FIFA y EUFA
Meanwhile, the TFF urged Turkish clubs to intensify internal controls over possible betting by their footballers and employees. In addition, it warned that if there is no concrete progress, there will be intervention with state support at all levels of the football ecosystem.
In the coming days, the names of the referees involved are expected to be submitted to the disciplinary court, initiating a series of sanctions that could include lifetime bans. The case is already being considered by the local press as the biggest blow to the integrity of Turkish football in decades.
