The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has announced that it will initiate disciplinary proceedings after a major investigation revealed that hundreds of professional match officials had opened betting accounts — with many actively gambling on football matches.
The findings come after a five-year inquiry, which discovered that 371 out of 571 registered match officials held betting accounts. Among them, 152 were found to have placed bets, including 42 officials who wagered on more than 1,000 matches each. One official reportedly made an astonishing 18,227 bets.
At a press conference in Istanbul, TFF President Ibrahim Ethem Haciosmanoglu confirmed the results but did not name the individuals involved. He stated that the list includes seven referees and 15 assistant referees from Turkey’s top two divisions, along with 36 classified referees and 94 assistants from the tier below.
“If we want to bring Turkish football to the level it deserves, we must clean up every trace of corruption,” said Haciosmanoglu. “Those responsible will be referred to the disciplinary board and will face the necessary penalties.”
Under TFF, FIFA, and UEFA disciplinary regulations, referees, like players and coaches, are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of betting.
According to TFF rules, offenders could face suspensions of up to one year, while Article 27 of FIFA’s Code of Ethics allows for a fine of up to 100,000 Swiss francs (£94,000) and a ban of up to three years from all football-related activities.
The revelations have sent shockwaves through Turkish football, prompting reactions from several leading clubs.
Beşiktaş described the findings as “a potential new beginning for clean football,” while Trabzonspor called the development “a historic opportunity to rebuild justice in Turkish football.”
Fenerbahçe president Sadettin Saran said the revelations were both “shocking and deeply saddening,” but expressed optimism that transparency could pave the way for reform.
“The fact that this is coming to light is, at least, a hopeful development,” Saran said.
