TFF Suspends 149 Referees Over Betting Allegations

Turkish Football Federation Suspends 149 Referees Over Betting Allegations

In a sweeping disciplinary move that has sent shockwaves through Turkish football, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced the suspension of 149 referees implicated in a major betting scandal.

The announcement, made on Friday, October 31, 2025, follows an extensive investigation into betting activities among referees officiating across various professional leagues in Turkey.

The probe, which initially examined the conduct of 571 referees, revealed that 371 of them held sports betting accounts. Of those, 152 were found to have actively placed bets on football matches.

The TFF’s disciplinary committee responded by issuing suspensions ranging from eight to twelve months for 149 of the referees involved. Investigations are still ongoing into three additional officials whose cases remain under review.

Among the suspended individuals are 22 referees who served in Turkey’s top-tier league, including seven match referees and 15 assistant referees.

The scale of the betting activity was staggering: ten referees had placed over 10,000 bets each, with one individual reportedly making 18,227 bets. Furthermore, 42 referees were found to have wagered on more than 1,000 football matches.

However, the TFF has not clarified whether any of these bets were placed on matches that the referees themselves officiated.

TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu condemned the actions, emphasizing the ethical standards expected of match officials. “Refereeing is a profession of honour,” he stated. “Anyone who tarnishes that honour… will never again be involved in Turkish football.” His remarks underscore the federation’s zero-tolerance stance on integrity breaches within the sport.

In addition to the TFF’s internal disciplinary measures, the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office has launched a separate criminal investigation into the matter, signaling potential legal consequences for those involved.

This scandal has raised serious concerns about the integrity of football officiating in Turkey and prompted calls for stricter oversight and reforms within the sport’s governance structures.

As the investigations continue, the football community awaits further developments that could reshape the future of refereeing in the country.