A widespread integrity crisis has hit Turkish football, with nearly 150 referees suspended for extensive involvement in sports betting, exposing a profound breach of trust within the sport’s officiating body.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced that 149 officials have been penalized with suspensions ranging from eight to twelve months. These actions follow an investigation that encompassed 371 of the country’s 571 referees.
The officials were found to possess active accounts with sports betting companies and actively participated in wagering activities.
Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, leader of the TFF, issued a statement condemning the actions. He stated that the reputation of Turkish football rests on effort and unwavering justice. Any act betraying these values is not merely a rule violation but a breach of trust.
Earlier this week, the TFF disclosed more details about the scale of the gambling. Forty-two referees placed bets on over 1,000 matches. One individual reportedly wagered on more than 18,000 matches.
Among those implicated were seven main referees and fifteen assistant referees holding elite status within the sport.
Haciosmanoglu further clarified that recent investigations revealed some referees engaged in betting activities entirely incompatible with the spirit of football. He described this as an abuse that harms consciences and poisons justice.