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Read Full BioTürkiye’s football federation (TFF) announced that it will take disciplinary action against referees in the country who have been caught gambling on soccer matches.
In a press conference on Monday, TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu said that 371 of 571 active referees in Türkiye’s professional leagues had betting accounts, and 152 of them were actively gambling.
The referees have placed thousands of bets on soccer matches, with one placing 18,227 wagers. Of the 152 active gamblers, seven referees and 15 assistant referees work in the country’s top division, the Süper Lig.
The TFF noted that most bets were placed on foreign leagues and did not reveal how many were on matches in Türkiye. It also did not indicate any suspicion of referees betting on matches where they were officiating.
Don’t Look Down on Offenders, Says TFF President
Hacıosmanoğlu stated, “Our Disciplinary Board will initiate the necessary procedures, make referrals within a short timeframe, and impose the necessary penalties according to our instructions.”
However, he refrained from castigating those found to be breaking the rules. He said, “There’s no such thing as immorality in those who fall short,” and added, “Let’s not look down on those who have a betting account.”
He then detailed the thousands of bets placed by officials. The TFF states that while betting may be legal for the general public in Türkiye, referees are strictly forbidden from gambling on matches.
Even a referee’s possession of a betting account is flagged as a breach of integrity under TFF, UEFA, and FIFA rules. Earlier this year, FIFA reminded its member nations that referees must also not accept sponsorship from betting companies.
Those found to have breached the rules could face bans of three months to a year. The penalty would be more severe if officials were found to have wagered on matches they officiated.
Hacıosmanoğlu said the TFF will increase its training for referees to warn of any betting-related activity. He also urged clubs to work with the organization to stamp out corruption in Turkish football.
“If we implement this work together, we have full confidence that a brighter future awaits us. I believe that with their support, we will carry Turkish football to its long-awaited place,” he concluded.
Referees File Complaint Alleging Widespread Corruption
The revelations come amid tension between referees and Turkish authorities. Last month, a group of referees filed criminal complaints against Türkiye’s Central Referee Committee (MHK) senior members.
The group, which includes FIFA-licensed officials and Süper Lig match referees, cited manipulation of match assignments, psychological pressure, and document forgery. These claims are now under judicial review.
Hacıosmanoğlu was elected president of the TFF last year and has promised to “rebuild trust in Turkish football.” In his statement on Monday, he similarly said, “We know that Turkish football needs change.”
Türkiye Accused of Turning Blind Eye to Match-Fixing
In 2011, a match-fixing scandal rocked Turkish soccer. Investigators alleged that executives from Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe paid referees and players from opposing teams to influence the outcome of matches. Police wiretaps, financial records, and witness statements suggested that at least 19 matches in the 2010–11 Süper Lig and Turkish Cup were manipulated.
The perpetrators escaped severe punishment, however. Despite being sentenced to over six years in prison for his involvement in the scandal, Fenerbahçe President Aziz Yıldırım was acquitted on appeal in 2016.
The lack of prosecution from the TFF and Turkish courts led to tension between the country and UEFA, Europe’s soccer governing body. UEFA banned Fenerbahçe from its competitions in the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons. Due to its involvement, Beşiktaş was also banned from European competition for one season in 2013–14.
The TFF confirmed it has reported the issue of referees betting on matches to FIFA and UEFA. The governing bodies could also take action against any officials who are licensed to referee in European or international competitions.
