Turkish authorities have deepened a widespread illegal betting scandal within the nation’s football, ordering the pre-trial detention of a top-tier club president and seven referees on charges of influencing match outcomes.
Murat Özkaya, president of Eyüpspor, a club that recently reached the Turkish Super Lig, and the referees were sent to pre-trial detention on Monday. The accusations relate to “influencing the results” of sports competitions in connection with illegal betting.
This judicial intervention marks a significant escalation in the ongoing scandal. It follows earlier administrative sanctions against 149 referees and the resignation of 45 match delegates.
An investigation by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) in late October revealed that 371 out of 571 professional league referees had accounts on sports betting platforms. Of these, 152 were actively placing bets.
The TFF suspended 149 referees on October 31 for violating rules prohibiting them from betting on games.
The recent judicial decision indicated that some referees might have attempted to influence match results, in addition to merely placing bets.
Özkaya, a car rental entrepreneur, has led Eyüpspor since 2019, guiding the team from the third division to its current position in the top flight. The club currently sits second to last in the league.
Prosecutors initially sought detention for 17 referees and one journalist. While 11 defendants were released, they were ordered to comply with accessory penalties.
The TFF previously stated it found no evidence of a specific betting organization influencing match outcomes. It also noted that most investigated referees lost money on their bets.
TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has vowed to eradicate the problem. He stated that anyone who “stains that honor” within refereeing “will never again participate in Turkish football.”
The suspensions for the 149 referees range from eight to 12 months. Investigations are ongoing for three additional individuals.
Of those implicated, 22 — comprising seven main referees and 15 assistants — officiate in the first division.
Ten of the professionals identified placed more than 10,000 bets, with the most active individual making a total of 18,227 bets. Forty-two referees each bet on over 1,000 games.
The TFF has not yet specified if any suspended officials bet on games they personally officiated, which would constitute a more severe infraction and carry harsher penalties.