The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees accused of placing bets on football matches, marking one of the most significant integrity scandals in the history of Turkish football.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 31, the TFF revealed that its disciplinary committee had handed down suspensions ranging from eight to twelve months. The federation also confirmed that investigations are still underway involving three additional referees.
The action follows an extensive internal review of 571 referees across Turkey’s professional leagues. The investigation found that 371 referees held sports betting accounts, while 152 were actively gambling.
“TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu” condemned the misconduct on Thursday, October 30, stating, “Refereeing is a profession of honour. Anyone who tarnishes that honour will never again be involved in Turkish football.”
According to the investigation’s findings, 22 of the suspended referees—seven match officials and 15 assistant referees—were actively officiating in the country’s top-flight league. The data also exposed troubling betting habits, with ten referees making more than 10,000 individual bets and one referee reportedly placing 18,227 bets.
Another 42 referees were found to have placed wagers on over 1,000 football matches. However, Haciosmanoglu did not specify whether any of the referees had bet on matches they officiated, which would amount to a serious ethical breach and potential criminal offense.
The Istanbul public prosecutor’s office has launched a criminal investigation, as pressure mounts on Turkish football authorities to restore confidence in the sport’s integrity.
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