The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is facing its largest betting and match-fixing scandal to date, with eight arrests and 1,024 players suspended as part of a nationwide investigation into illegal gambling on football matches.

Among those suspended is Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali, who also represents the Turkish national team, highlighting the scale of the scandal that has engulfed top-tier football in Turkiye.

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Arrests and Suspensions Across Football Ranks

On Monday, authorities arrested Eyupspor Chairman Murat Ozkaya and seven others implicated in the investigation. In a sweeping disciplinary move, the TFF suspended 1,024 players, including 27 from the Super Lig, Turkiye’s top-flight football division.

Galatasaray issued a statement emphasizing that it is “monitoring the process” and awaiting the completion of the investigation. Elmali clarified that his suspension stemmed from a bet placed five years ago on a team other than his own, and that he has not participated in betting since.

Those involved face allegations including abuse of power, illegal betting, and match-fixing, which threaten the credibility of Turkish football.

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Scale of the Betting Investigation

The scandal came to light at the end of October when the TFF revealed that an investigation had uncovered 371 out of 571 active referees in professional leagues with betting accounts. Of these, 152 referees were actively gambling.

• One referee reportedly placed bets 18,227 times.
• Forty-two referees were found to have bet on more than 1,000 football matches each.
• Others had placed only a single bet.

The TFF has suspended lower-tier leagues, including the third and fourth divisions, where over 900 of the implicated players compete, effectively halting their competitions for the last two weeks.

Earlier this month, the federation also suspended 149 referees and assistant referees after discovering widespread betting activity among officials in professional leagues.

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TFF President Calls Out ‘Moral Crisis’

TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu described the scandal as a “moral crisis in Turkish football”, emphasizing the need for stringent oversight and disciplinary measures. The federation’s decisive actions aim to restore public trust and maintain integrity within the sport.

“Turkish football is facing an unprecedented challenge. We are committed to cleaning up the sport and ensuring fair play at all levels,” Haciosmanoglu said.

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Impact on Turkish Football

The scandal has rocked the Turkish football community, raising questions about governance, integrity, and the role of betting in professional sports. Fans, clubs, and officials are watching closely as the investigation unfolds, with long-term consequences expected for those implicated in illegal gambling and match-fixing.

The TFF’s investigation signals a zero-tolerance policy for betting among players, referees, and officials, aiming to protect the reputation and competitive fairness of Turkiye’s football leagues.