Turkey FA suspends 149 referees over widespread betting scandal
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees following an explosive investigation that uncovered widespread involvement of match officials in betting activities.
The TFF confirmed on Friday that it had imposed bans ranging from eight to 12 months on the officials, depending on the severity of their actions, while three additional referees remain under investigation.
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The federation also published the full list of penalised officials on its official website.
According to findings from a five-year probe, 371 out of 571 professional match officials in Turkey were found to have betting accounts, with 152 actively gambling.
Some placed only a few wagers, but others were heavily involved — 42 officials bet on more than 1,000 matches, and one was found to have made a staggering 18,227 bets.
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Under TFF, FIFA, and UEFA regulations, referees and match officials are strictly prohibited from engaging in betting activities.
TFF president Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu described the scandal as a reflection of deeper moral issues within Turkish football.
“There is a moral crisis in Turkish football. The fundamental problem is ethical,” he told CNN on Friday. “If there is even one referee who hasn’t been paid, I’ll resign as federation president. We have improved their salaries last year and again this year.”
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Turkish football, prompting strong reactions from leading clubs.
Beşiktaş said the revelations “could mark a new beginning for clean football.”
Trabzonspor called it “a 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’s coming to light is a hopeful development.”
