Turkey’s Football Federation (TFF) has issued bans to 102 players from its top two professional divisions for their involvement in betting-related activities, marking one of the largest disciplinary actions in Turkish football history.

The suspensions vary from three to twelve months, with 25 of the affected players from the Super Lig, Turkey’s top-flight league. Among those sanctioned are Galatasaray stars Eren Elmali and Metehan Baltaci, who received bans of 45 days and nine months, respectively.

The Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) announced that all rulings will become final after a seven-day appeal period.

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Background: Widespread Betting Scandal

This disciplinary action follows a mass suspension of 1,024 players by the TFF earlier this week as part of an ongoing investigation into betting and match-fixing in Turkish football.

The fallout has been significant: matches in the third and fourth divisions of Turkish football have been postponed for two weeks while investigations continue.

Eren Elmali responded publicly, stating via Instagram:

“The reason my name appears in this file is because, about five years ago, a bet was placed on a match involving my former team, without my knowledge or involvement. Since that day, I have had no connection whatsoever to betting.”

Galatasaray confirmed it would “meticulously” follow the investigation, emphasizing the sensitivity of the matter.

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Referees and Officials Implicated

The scandal initially broke on 27 October 2025, when TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu revealed that hundreds of referees held betting accounts.

• Out of 571 referees in Turkey’s professional leagues, 371 had betting accounts, and 152 were actively placing wagers.
• The group included 7 referees and 15 assistant referees from the top two divisions, along with 36 classified referees and 94 assistants from lower levels.
• Some referees placed thousands of bets: one official placed 18,227 wagers, while 142 referees bet on more than 1,000 matches.

According to TFF regulations, as well as FIFA and UEFA rules, players, coaches, and referees are strictly forbidden from participating in betting activities.

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Legal Action and Arrests

The betting investigation has extended beyond sporting sanctions. Turkish prosecutors issued detention orders for 21 individuals, including:

• 17 referees
• 2 football club presidents
• Murat Ozkaya, chairman of Super Lig club Eyupspor
• 6 additional referees and one other individual

Authorities are investigating the broader implications of match-fixing and gambling in Turkish football, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities across professional and lower leagues.

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Impact on Turkish Football

The TFF’s crackdown is intended to restore integrity and transparency within Turkish football. The scale of the betting scandal, involving top-flight players, referees, and officials, has shocked fans and media alike.

• Clubs and referees are under close scrutiny to ensure no further violations occur.
• Matches postponed in lower divisions aim to give authorities time to investigate and secure evidence.
• The disciplinary actions serve as a warning to players, officials, and coaches that gambling violations carry severe consequences.

Fans and experts are watching closely, anticipating further disciplinary measures and reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.