The Turkish Football Federation has taken action against more than 1,000 players, with 27 of them from the top division, in connection with a significant betting investigation involving alleged wagers on matches. A total of 1,024 footballers have been implicated in an ongoing probe, with all cases referred to the country’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK).
Among those affected are players from current champions and league leaders Galatasaray, including Eren Elmali, and two players from Istanbul rivals Besiktas. Elmali admitted to placing a bet on a game unrelated to his team five years ago, prior to joining Galatasaray this year.
Due to the suspensions, matches in the lower tiers of Turkish football have been postponed for two weeks, while games in the top two tiers will continue as scheduled. The President of the Turkish Football Federation, Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, described the situation as a “moral crisis” and emphasized the need to restore integrity to Turkish football.
In response to the investigation, the TFF has requested FIFA to allow a 15-day extension for transfers and registrations in the upcoming winter window to help clubs address squad gaps resulting from the probe. Meanwhile, local reports mention eight arrests made by Turkish authorities, including a club chairman, with detention orders issued for 21 individuals, including referees and club presidents.
The investigation, ongoing for five years, has already led to the banning of 149 officials. Allegedly, 371 out of 571 referees had gambling accounts, with 152 being active, and one referee having placed a staggering 18,227 bets. Three officials are still under scrutiny, and potential penalties are pending, according to the Turkish Football Federation.
Former Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho, a vocal critic of refereeing standards, has urged the media to address the situation. The TFF is awaiting a response from FIFA regarding the transfer extension request.
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