Widespread Misconduct Uncovered Among Turkish Football Referees
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced the results of a five-year investigation. More than half of the country’s active referees were registered with betting operators, with 152 holding active accounts.
Scale of the Investigation and Participants
The probe, which began in April 2025, covered 571 football referees. Of those, 371 had betting accounts, and 152 were confirmed to have placed wagers. One referee set a record with 18,227 bets, while another 42 placed bets on more than 1,000 matches each.
According to the federation, among those implicated were 7 referees from the Turkish Super League and 15 assistant referees from the country’s top 2 divisions. The investigation also identified 36 referees and 94 assistants from lower leagues.
Key Figures of the Investigation
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total referees investigated by TFF | 571 |
| Referees with betting accounts | 371 |
| Active bettors | 152 |
| Referees who placed over 1,000 bets | 42 |
| Highest number of bets by a single referee | 18,227 |
Disciplinary Measures and Sanctions
TFF President Ibrahim Etem Haciosmanoglu stated that all those involved will be referred to the disciplinary committee. The violators face up to three years of suspension and fines of up to $94,2K (₣100k).
Under TFF regulations, referees, coaches, and players are strictly prohibited from engaging in any form of gambling. FIFA and UEFA have been informed of the findings, and Turkish prosecutors launched a criminal case in April 2025.
Statement from the Federation President
“If we want to restore Turkish football to its rightful place, we must cleanse it of all corruption,” Haciosmanoglu declared at a press conference in Istanbul.
Reaction from Clubs and the Football Community
The findings sparked strong reactions from Turkey’s leading clubs. In a statement, Beşiktaş said the scandal could be “a new beginning for clean football.” Trabzonspor’s management called it “a historic opportunity to restore fairness in Turkish football.”
Fenerbahçe president Sadettin Saran commented that “while the revelations are both shocking and saddening, the fact that they’ve come to light is a hopeful sign.”
Proposals and Next Steps
- Some experts suggest temporarily suspending league matches to protect referees uninvolved in the scandal from undue pressure
- Others propose inviting foreign referees to officiate matches in order to rebuild public trust
- Despite the turmoil, the league schedule remains unchanged — two matches are still set to be played on Monday
How This Could Change Perceptions of Refereeing
The scandal has severely shaken public trust in Turkish refereeing. Many are asking: how many matches were officiated by referees involved in betting? Did any of them wager on their own games? Were they aware of each other’s actions?
Although the names of those under investigation remain confidential, it’s clear that the reputation of Turkish officiating has taken a major hit. As one commentator put it, “The football community will never look at refereeing the same way again.”
While many questions remain unanswered, one thing is certain — Turkish football is at a turning point, and the consequences will be felt by everyone, from fans to players.