Turkish Football Federation Suspends 149 Referees for Betting
The Turkish Football Federation has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees for 8–12 months due to accounts on betting websites, while investigations into three more cases are ongoing.
Reasons for Referee Suspensions
The Professional Football Disciplinary Committee (PFDK) of Turkey issued rulings against referees and assistant referees involved in activities related to sports betting. The actions were evaluated according to Article 57 of the FDT, taking into account the severity of the violations.
Types of Sanctions
- 8-month suspension
- 10-month suspension
- 12-month suspension
- Ongoing investigation in specific cases
List of Suspended Referees
The table below highlights some notable cases:
| Referee Name | Role | Suspension Period |
|---|---|---|
| ABDULLAH YALÇINKAYA | Classman Assistant | 8 months |
| ABDULLAH MURAT YOLDAŞ | Classman Referee | 10 months |
| ABDÜLSELAM KOÇAK | Classman Referee | 12 months |
| AYKUT YILMAZ | Classman Assistant | 12 months |
| MELİH KURT | Classman Referee | Investigation ongoing |
| ZORBAY KÜÇÜK | Senior Classman Referee | Investigation ongoing |
Full List of Referees
A total of 149 referees and assistant referees have been suspended. The most common suspension periods are 8, 10, and 12 months. PFDK maintains detailed records for each referee.
Special Cases
Some referees are still under investigation. Their names include:
Significance of Disciplinary Actions
Referee suspensions are part of the federation’s efforts to uphold fair play. PFDK’s decisions show that involvement in betting-related activities is strictly monitored.
Engaging in betting or related violations leads to disciplinary measures and temporary bans from participating in football matches.