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In one of its biggest ever crackdowns on corruption in sports, Turkish authorities have suspended 1,024 players and 149 referees amid a widespread betting scandal.
Recent investigations have uncovered a deep-rooted corruption scheme that implicates both players and officials, leading to arrests, including that of a prominent club chairman, Eyupspor’s Murat Ozkaya.
A deep-rooted scandal
These actions are part of Turkey’s ongoing effort to combat illegal betting operations. Authorities previously targeted influencers and various social media accounts linked to these activities.
The suspensions stem from allegations that many referees engaged in gambling on matches they officiated, covering both top-tier and second-tier games. At least 27 players from the Super Lig, Turkey’s premier soccer league, are under scrutiny for their involvement in these betting violations.
In light of the ongoing investigations, matches in the third and fourth divisions of Turkish football have been postponed for two weeks, while play in the country’s top two divisions continues without interruptions.
Over 60% of active Turkish referees are registered gamblers
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is grappling with a severe integrity crisis, revealing that more than 60% of active referees in professional leagues are involved in gambling. Out of 571 referees, 371 are registered gamblers, with at least 152 actively placing bets on various sports.
In one particularly concerning case, a referee has reportedly placed over 18,000 bets, while 42 others have wagered on more than 1,000 soccer matches each.
TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has labeled this the worst moral crisis the sport has faced in recent history.
As investigations continue into the betting scandal involving over a thousand players, the TFF has urgently contacted FIFA to request a 15-day extension for the winter transfer and registration period. The ongoing inquiries have significantly impacted the normal transfer process.
Source: Gambling News
