Turkish Football Rocked by Widespread Betting Scandal: Club Chairman Arrested, Over 1,000 Players Suspended

Major Crackdown in Turkish Football

Turkish authorities have formally arrested eight individuals, including Eyupspor Chairman Murat Ozkaya, as part of a widening investigation into alleged illegal betting on soccer matches. The arrests, which occurred around November 10-11, 2025, are a significant development in a scandal that has sent shockwaves through Turkish football. The probe, coordinated by the Istanbul Cyber Crimes Division and the Public Prosecutor's Office, initially led to the detention of 21 people, including 17 referees.

The suspects face serious charges, including abuse of power, match-fixing, and involvement in illegal betting networks.

Mass Suspensions Across Leagues

In response to the escalating crisis, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has taken drastic measures, suspending an unprecedented 1,024 players across all professional levels pending disciplinary investigations. Among those suspended are 27 players from the top-tier Super Lig, including Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali and players from prominent clubs like Besiktas. Elmali stated that his suspension was linked to a bet placed five years ago on a team that was not his own.

The TFF's actions follow an earlier internal investigation that revealed widespread betting activity among match officials. This probe led to the suspension of 149 referees and assistant referees. Startling findings indicated that 371 of the 571 active referees in professional leagues held betting accounts, with 152 actively gambling. One referee was found to have placed an astonishing 18,227 bets.

Impact and Future Steps

The scandal has prompted immediate operational changes within the Turkish football system. Matches in the third and fourth divisions have been suspended for two weeks to allow clubs to address the significant player shortages. The TFF is also in urgent negotiations with FIFA to request a 15-day extension to the upcoming winter transfer window, aiming to provide clubs with an opportunity to rebuild their squads.

TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has publicly addressed the situation, describing it as a 'moral crisis in Turkish football' and vowing to 'purge' the sport of its 'filth'. The investigation is comprehensive, examining five years of financial and digital records across the entire football ecosystem, from amateur clubs to the Super Lig. The TFF has pledged full cooperation with judicial authorities and international bodies like UEFA to restore integrity and public confidence in the sport.