Türkiye’s football community has been shaken by one of the biggest integrity scandals in its history, as authorities arrested eight people, including Eyupspor chairman Murat Ozkaya, and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended 1,024 players amid a widening investigation into illegal betting and potential match-fixing.
Among those suspended are 27 Super Lig players, including Galatasaray defender and Turkish national team player Eren Elmali, who admitted to a single bet made years ago but denied any ongoing involvement in gambling. The TFF confirmed that all suspended players have been referred to its Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) pending further investigation.
The scandal has rocked the country’s sporting establishment, with prosecutors investigating allegations of abuse of power, illegal betting, and potential manipulation of matches.
Turkish authorities formally arrested Eyupspor chairman Murat Ozkaya and seven others on 10 November (Monday), following detention orders issued by Istanbul’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Among those detained were several referees and former football executives.
The arrests stem from a broader investigation that began in late October, when the TFF revealed that 371 of 571 active referees in Türkiye’s professional leagues had registered betting accounts, and 152 were actively placing wagers. TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu described the situation as a “moral crisis in Turkish football.”
In early November, the TFF suspended 149 referees and assistant referees for betting violations, with bans ranging from eight to twelve months. Investigations into three other officials, including FIFA-listed referee Zorbay Kucuk, are ongoing.
According to TFF data, one referee placed 18,227 bets, while 42 others placed over 1,000 wagers each, highlighting the depth of misconduct.
Turkish Football Federation’s headquarters (TFF) in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Source: Adobe Stock Photo)
The third and fourth divisions of Turkish football have been suspended for two weeks, while top-tier matches in the Super Lig and First Division continue. The TFF has also requested an additional 15 days in the winter transfer window from FIFA to help clubs address player shortages caused by the suspensions.
UEFA confirmed it is in contact with the Turkish Football Federation concerning this matter, while Interpol is reportedly assisting Turkish authorities with international betting data.
Major clubs have also been caught up in the scandal. Besiktas confirmed that two of its players, Ersin Destanoglu and Necip Uysal, have been referred to the PFDK but said they have “full faith” in the innocence of the pair.
Galatasaray acknowledged that two of its players, including Eren Elmali and Metehan Baltaci, were under investigation, promising to “meticulously” follow this “sensitive process.”
Elmali, who has been temporarily removed from the national team, said his case relates to a single bet made five years ago on a match that did not involve his club. He has denied any further wrongdoing.
Under FIFA and TFF regulations, players, referees, and coaches are strictly forbidden from betting on football or any other sports events. Violations can result in suspensions, fines, or lifetime bans.
The current scandal erupted after anomalous betting data was flagged by Turkish regulators and shared with the TFF, sparking a large-scale integrity investigation.
Speaking to CNN Türk, Hacıosmanoğlu reiterated that Turkish football faces a deep ethical challenge: “We will continue our efforts to create a clean sporting environment.” He added, “It is vital that the public can trust the officials who run our matches.”
He confirmed that the federation plans to introduce enhanced financial monitoring, digital oversight systems, and ethics training programs to prevent future misconduct.
The scale of the scandal has left Türkiye’s football system reeling. With nearly one-third of its referees suspended, the TFF faces major logistical challenges in staffing matches. Clubs are scrambling to adjust rosters, and fans are demanding accountability from football authorities.
While investigators have yet to confirm any direct evidence of match-fixing, prosecutors are examining whether betting activity influenced match outcomes in domestic leagues.
Under Türkiye’s Law on the Prevention of Violence and Irregularities in Sports, manipulating match results can result in one to three years in prison, rising to five to twelve years if organized crime involvement is proven.
The latest episode comes amid pro sports being rocked by scandals. The National Basketball Association (NBA) launched a comprehensive review of its sports betting policies after the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups in connection with alleged gambling and poker schemes.
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