In a shocking development, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees following a five-year investigation into betting activities among professional match officials. The probe revealed that hundreds of referees held accounts with betting companies, violating both TFF regulations and international football ethics codes.

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Details of the Betting Investigation

The investigation, which spanned five years, found that 371 of 571 match officials had active betting accounts, with 152 actively gambling on football matches. While some officials had only placed a single bet, others had wagered extensively:

• 42 officials had placed bets on over 1,000 matches.
• One official had reportedly placed a staggering 18,227 bets.

As per TFF disciplinary regulations, as well as FIFA and UEFA codes of ethics, match officials are strictly forbidden from betting on football matches. Violations can result in fines and suspensions, emphasizing the seriousness of this breach.

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Suspensions and Penalties

The TFF has imposed bans ranging from eight to twelve months, depending on the severity of the betting activity. Investigations are ongoing for three other officials whose cases have not yet been resolved.

• The full list of penalized officials has been made public on the TFF website, reflecting the federation’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu described the situation as a moral crisis in Turkish football, stating:

“There is no such thing as structure. The fundamental problem at the core of Turkish football is an ethical one.”

Haciosmanoglu added that officials’ salaries had been improved in recent years to address potential grievances, dismissing any claims that financial issues drove betting activity.

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Reactions from Clubs and Stakeholders

The announcement has drawn responses from some of Turkey’s top clubs, highlighting both shock and cautious optimism:

• Besiktas: “This could mark a new beginning for clean football.”
• Trabzonspor: “An historic opportunity to rebuild justice in Turkish football.”
• Fenerbahce President Sadettin Saran: “This is both shocking and deeply saddening, but the fact that it is coming to light is hopeful.”

The scandal has sparked wider discussions about ethics and integrity in Turkish football, with calls for continued oversight and stricter enforcement of betting prohibitions.