The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 1,024 players amid a widening investigation among those referred to the disciplinary commission. Galatasaray team-mate Metehan Baltaci is also on the list.
Elmali, 25, posted on Instagram that he placed a bet about five years ago on a match that did not involve his own team. He was withdrawn from the national squad preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Bulgaria as the case unfolded.
The scandal follows earlier action against officials: last week the TFF suspended 149 referees and assistants after an inquiry revealed extensive betting activity within the officiating ranks. Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu described the crisis as moral rather than financial, noting that one referee allegedly placed 18,227 bets over five years, while dozens wagered on more than 1,000 matches.
Authorities have also made arrests and are pursuing broader criminal inquiries. Local reports and officials say eight people have been detained, including Eyupspor chairman Murat Ozkaya, as prosecutors probe potential offences linked to betting and match integrity.
The TFF has paused fixtures in lower divisions for two weeks to manage the disruption and roster issues arising from the mass suspensions, while top-flight matches continue. The federation is also seeking emergency regulatory measures to help clubs cope with short-term squad shortages.
Turkey, which will co-host Euro 2032 with Italy and recently saw the national team reach the Euro 2024 quarter finals, now faces an integrity test across multiple levels of the domestic game as disciplinary and criminal processes run their course.
