The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees following a major probe that uncovered widespread betting scandal among professional match officials across the country.
According to the TFF, disciplinary sanctions ranging from eight to twelve months have been imposed on the officials, depending on the “severity of the act.”
The suspensions follow a five-year investigation that revealed staggering findings, out of 571 officials examined, 371 had betting accounts, and 152 were found to have actively placed bets.
Some referees wagered only once, but 42 individuals were found to have placed bets on more than 1,000 football matches. In one extreme case, an official was discovered to have made 18,227 bets.
Match officials, like players and coaches, are strictly prohibited from gambling under TFF, FIFA, and UEFA disciplinary regulations.
A moral crisis in Turkish football”
TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu described the revelations as evidence of a deep-rooted ethical collapse within Turkish football.
“There is a moral crisis in Turkish football. There is no such thing as structure. The fundamental problem at the core of Turkish football is an ethical one,” Hacıosmanoğlu told CNN on Friday.
“Ask any referee if there is even one who has not received his pay, I will resign as federation president. In fact, we improved their salaries last year, and again this year.”
Clubs react to the findings
The scandal has prompted strong reactions from Turkey’s top clubs. Beşiktaş called the development “a new beginning for clean football,” while Trabzonspor described it as “an historic opportunity to rebuild justice in Turkish football.”
Fenerbahçe president Sadettin Saran added, “This is both shocking and deeply saddening for Turkish football. But the fact that it is coming to light is a hopeful development.”
The investigation marks one of the most significant disciplinary crackdowns in Turkish football history and could serve as a turning point in the federation’s efforts to restore integrity to the domestic game.