Betting Scandal Engulfs Turkish Football: Hundreds of Referees Implicated
A storm has erupted in Turkish football as a far-reaching investigation exposes hundreds of referees involved in betting. The revelations have thrown the sport’s credibility into turmoil and prompted sweeping disciplinary action from the nation’s football authorities.
The Scandal That Shook a Nation
A massive betting scandal has erupted in Turkish football, revealing widespread betting activity among referees. The revelations have triggered outrage and cast a long shadow over the credibility of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu confirmed that 371 of the country’s 571 referees held betting accounts, and 152 had actively placed wagers. The findings, gathered through an in-depth internal probe and verified by state data, suggest systemic misconduct across all levels of officiating.
Startling Figures and Immediate Action
Among those implicated are seven referees from the top division, 15 elite assistants, 36 officials from lower tiers, and 94 assistant referees. Ten of them reportedly made more than 10,000 bets, while one referee placed a staggering 18,227 wagers over several years.
The TFF has initiated disciplinary proceedings under sports integrity law No. 6222. The case has been forwarded to FIFA and UEFA, ensuring international scrutiny of Turkey’s disciplinary process.
A Call for Reform
Labeling the discovery as a “milestone moment,” Hacıosmanoğlu vowed to bring transparency and accountability back to the sport. He urged football clubs nationwide to conduct internal reviews and pledged sweeping reforms to eliminate unethical practices.
To rebuild confidence, the federation plans to introduce a referee education and ethics initiative across all 81 provinces — a move designed to raise professional standards and strengthen public trust.
Probing Deeper Into Corruption
Investigators are now cross-examining betting and disciplinary data to determine whether the activity connects to match-fixing or organised crime. As scrutiny intensifies, Turkish football faces a defining moment that could reshape its future.
