Turkish football has been plunged into crisis as the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended over 1,000 players in what is now the country’s largest-ever betting scandal.
The shockwave hit the Super Lig and lower divisions, with even national team defender Eren Elmali of Galatasaray among those suspended.
The TFF confirmed that 1,024 players, including 27 from the top-tier Super Lig, have been referred to a disciplinary commission over allegations of illegal betting activities.
Describing the scandal as a “moral crisis,” TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu vowed to restore integrity to Turkish football.
“Our duty is to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to purge it of all its filth,”
he said during a news conference in Ankara.
In a dramatic move, the federation suspended all matches in the third and fourth divisions for two weeks.
However, games in the Super Lig and second division will continue to prevent disruption of the ongoing season.
The TFF has also begun urgent talks with FIFA, seeking a 15-day extension of the winter transfer window.
The move aims to help clubs cope with sudden player shortages caused by the mass suspensions.
This scandal comes just weeks after 149 referees and assistant referees were suspended for alleged involvement in betting on matches, an act strictly prohibited under FIFA regulations.
According to TFF data, 371 of 571 active referees had accounts with betting companies.
Out of these, 152 referees allegedly placed bets on football matches, including seven top-tier referees.
In one shocking case, a referee was found to have placed bets on 18,227 matches, raising serious questions about the integrity of officiating in Turkish football.
Another ten referees reportedly placed bets on more than 10,000 games each over five years.
Turkish prosecutors have intensified investigations, issuing detention warrants for 21 individuals, including 17 referees and a club president.
Local reports indicate that eight suspects, among them a club chairman, were formally arrested earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the federation has pledged full cooperation with law enforcement agencies and vowed transparency throughout the process.
TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu said the scandal had exposed deep-rooted issues within the sport’s structure but expressed optimism that strong reforms would rebuild credibility.
“This is a moral crisis in Turkish football,” he reiterated.
“We cannot allow corruption to destroy the sport our people love.”
