Over 1,000 Players Suspended in Turkey Over Betting Scandal

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 1,024 players from its professional leagues as part of a major investigation into illegal betting.

Among those suspended are 27 players from Turkey’s top-flight league. The affected players have been referred to the country’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) for further action.

Following this move, matches in Turkey’s third and fourth divisions have been postponed for two weeks, while games in the top two divisions will continue as planned. The TFF has also asked world football’s governing body, FIFA, to grant an extra 15 days to the winter transfer window so that clubs can sign replacements for suspended players.

One of the country’s biggest clubs, Besiktas, confirmed that two of its players were among those referred to the disciplinary board. The club stated that it has “full faith” in the innocence of its players and will cooperate with the authorities during the investigation.

Local media reports indicate that eight people, including a club chairman, have been arrested in connection with the betting scandal. The issue first came to light on October 27, when TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu revealed that hundreds of referees were linked to betting accounts.

According to Haciosmanoglu, out of 571 referees working in Turkey’s professional leagues, 371 held betting accounts and 152 actively placed bets.

The group reportedly includes seven referees and 15 assistant referees from the top two divisions, as well as 36 referees and 94 assistants from lower levels. He also claimed that 10 referees placed more than 10,000 bets each, while one made over 18,000 bets.

Under TFF, FIFA, and UEFA rules, players, coaches, and match officials are strictly forbidden from betting on football matches.

Turkish prosecutors have issued detention orders for 21 people, including 17 referees and two football club presidents, as the investigation into betting and possible match-fixing continues.