According to Sports Desk, Istanbul, Turkish football is reeling after a shocking investigation revealed that 371 of the country’s 571 active referees were linked to betting accounts, in what authorities have described as one of the darkest chapters in the nation’s sporting history.
The revelation came from Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, who confirmed that an internal probe conducted with support from state data had unearthed “deep-rooted corruption” within the refereeing system.
According to the findings, 152 referees were actively placing bets, raising grave concerns about the integrity of domestic competitions. “This is a serious betrayal of trust,” said Hacıosmanoğlu. “We are determined to cleanse our football and restore credibility.”
The list of implicated officials includes:
- 7 top-tier referees from the Turkish Süper Lig
- 15 elite assistant referees
- 36 lower-division referees
- 94 assistant referees
Investigators were left stunned by the scale of activity. Ten referees placed more than 10,000 bets, while one individual reportedly made a staggering 18,227 wagers over several years.
The TFF has already initiated disciplinary proceedings under Law No. 6222, which addresses offences related to sports manipulation and illegal betting.
Hacıosmanoğlu said the findings represent a turning point for Turkish football: “This is not just about punishment, it’s about rebuilding integrity. The era of silence and corruption is over.”
The scandal has triggered widespread outrage among fans and clubs, with calls for lifetime bans and a complete overhaul of the refereeing structure. International bodies, including UEFA, are said to be monitoring the case closely.
As investigations continue, the once-trusted figures at the heart of Turkish football now face a reckoning that could reshape the game for years to come.
