Turkey suspends over 1,000 players and 149 referees in historic betting scandal

Updated: 23 Nov, 2025 • 0 • min read

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Turkey suspends over 1,000 players and 149 referees in historic betting scandal

Turkey is facing one of the most explosive crises in its footballing history after more than 1,000 players, 149 referees, and even a top-flight club chairman were suspended as part of a widening illegal betting investigation.

What began as a routine audit has spiralled into a scandal stretching across every level of the game - from the Süper Lig down to grassroots refereeing - and has shaken the nation.

What Started as a TFF Audit Has Become a Full-Scale Crisis

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) initially uncovered that nearly 150 referees and assistants were suspected of betting on matches.

It was a shock in itself, but the numbers kept rising.

Within days, authorities had suspended 1,024 players across all domestic leagues, temporarily halted the second and third tiers, and confirmed the arrest of eight individuals, including the chairman of a top-flight club.

The scandal hit even harder when it emerged that 27 Süper Lig footballers, including players from Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Trabzonspor, were named in the investigation.

With almost every club in the top 10 implicated - except Fenerbahçe - the title race has been plunged into uncertainty.

'This Is Only the Beginning'

Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akın Gürlek confirmed that prosecutors are braced for more arrests, saying the investigation may soon pull in coaches, club executives, and even TV commentators.

Whoever was involved in cheating, we are chasing them. There will be club chairmen and club executives in the probes.

There may be ties between chairmen and referees, coaches and commentators. We are investigating everything.

Turkish investigators are now working with UEFA, Interpol, and foreign betting authorities in Montenegro, Cyprus, and Georgia to trace cross-border betting networks.

Shocking Details Emerge: Hundreds of Referees Held Betting Accounts

The TFF's internal audit revealed that 371 of 571 professional referees held active betting accounts.

One official had allegedly placed over 18,000 bets - a figure that stunned both fans and officials.

In Istanbul's famed football cafés, supporters accustomed to daily rumours admitted they were left "speechless" by the breadth of wrongdoing.

A Scandal Reflecting a Deeper Crisis in Turkey

Sociologists argue that the story reflects broader issues within Turkish society.

The scandal has erupted during a period of politically charged investigations and widespread public scepticism towards institutions.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has insisted the crackdown proves "no one is untouchable," but critics say suspicion and political pressure have cast a shadow over the process.

Whilst low pay and financial strain among referees had long been blamed for vulnerabilities, investigators now believe the problem runs deeper.

Some officials were allegedly encouraged to join betting platforms linked to powerful business groups, raising serious questions about conflicts of interest, lack of oversight, and the normalisation of gambling culture.

Players and Referees Fight to Clear Their Names

Several prominent players, including national team defenders, were cleared after denying any involvement.

FIFA-listed referee Zorbay Küçük has even filed a criminal complaint asserting he never placed a single wager.

Turkey's refereeing community, already under immense pressure following years of abuse from fans and coaches, is now facing unprecedented public mistrust.

Incidents such as José Mourinho's public attacks on referees and previous assaults on match officials have only deepened the sense that officiating in Turkey is dangerously exposed.

Top Clubs Endorse Crackdown, Fans Remain Sceptical

Turkey's biggest clubs have publicly backed authorities, calling this an opportunity to "clean" the sport.

Yet among supporters, fears persist that only a handful of high-profile figures will be punished whilst systemic issues remain untouched.

Turkey's high ranking on global organised crime indices only fuels these concerns.

Crisis Hits at the Worst Possible Time

The scandal comes just as Turkish football was experiencing renewed optimism:

A strong Euro 2024 campaign
Co-hosting Euro 2032
A wave of major new signings

Instead, the game is now grappling with a crisis that threatens its integrity at the most fundamental level.

The TFF has quietly requested an emergency transfer window from FIFA to help clubs replace suspended players, highlighting the scale of disruption.

Meanwhile, UEFA is monitoring the situation closely, concerned about the implications for European competitions.

A Scandal That Could Shape Turkish Football for Years

As prosecutors continue to expand the investigation, the fallout could be enormous - from relegations and lifetime bans to potential criminal charges for club executives.

With betting networks stretching beyond Turkey's borders, this is a scandal that could redefine the country's football landscape long after the trials end.

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