Turkish Football Federation Suspends 149 Officials Amid Betting Scandal
ANKARA, Turkey – In a stunning blow to the integrity of Turkish football, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees following an investigation into widespread betting activity. The suspensions, announced on Friday, come after the federation uncovered that a significant number of officials in the country's professional leagues allegedly had been betting on football matches.
The TFF's disciplinary board has imposed bans ranging from eight to twelve months on the 149 officials, with the severity of the punishment determined by the extent of their involvement. Investigations into three other officials are still ongoing. The TFF has published the full list of suspended officials on its website.
The investigation revealed that 371 out of 571 active referees in Turkey held registered betting accounts, a direct violation of FIFA and UEFA regulations that prohibit referees from any form of gambling. Of those, 152 referees actively placed bets on matches. The probe, initiated after rising tensions within Turkish football earlier in the year, involved a nationwide audit of referees' financial activities, with a specific focus on potential betting violations.
TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu described the scale of the betting activity as "staggering". Some referees placed an exorbitant number of bets, with one individual making 18,227 wagers. Furthermore, 42 referees were found to have placed more than 1,000 bets specifically on football matches. The TFF president has vowed to "clean up what is dirty" and restore integrity to the sport.
"The reputation of Turkish soccer is built on the sanctity of the effort on the field and the unwavering integrity of justice," Hacıosmanoğlu said in a statement. "Any act that betrays these values is not merely a violation of the rules, but a breach of trust... Recent investigations have revealed that some referees were involved in betting activities in a manner completely incompatible with the spirit of football. This is not merely a violation – it is an abuse that wounds consciences and poisons justice".
The scandal includes seven top-tier referees and 15 top-level assistants. According to judicial sources cited by Habertürk, investigations are also underway targeting clubs and players, with approximately 3,700 players under scrutiny.
In light of the scandal, the TFF is planning a nationwide referee training initiative across all 81 provinces to rebuild public trust and reinforce higher standards of professionalism. The federation has also shared the investigation findings with FIFA and UEFA, who are expected to closely monitor the ongoing disciplinary process.
The Turkish referee betting scandal has triggered a significant crisis of confidence in the nation's football governance. The unfolding situation has prompted widespread debate about corruption and oversight within the sport and raised questions about the future of Turkish football.
