The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended 149 referees for placing bets on football matches, marking one of the largest integrity scandals in the history of Turkish football.
In a statement released on Friday, October 31, 2025, the TFF said its disciplinary committee handed out suspensions ranging from eight to twelve months. Investigations are still ongoing for three additional referees.
The decision followed a comprehensive probe of 571 referees across Turkish professional leagues, which found 371 had sports betting accounts, with 152 actively gambling.
“Refereeing is a profession of honour,” TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu said on Thursday, October 30. “Anyone who tarnishes that honour will never again be involved in Turkish football.”
Among the suspended officials, 22 worked in Turkey’s top league, including seven match referees and 15 assistant referees. The investigation revealed extreme betting activity: ten referees placed over 10,000 bets each, with one referee reportedly making 18,227 bets, while 42 others bet on more than 1,000 matches.
Haciosmanoglu did not confirm whether any referees had wagered on matches they officiated, which would constitute a serious criminal and ethical breach.
The scandal has prompted the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office to launch a criminal investigation as Turkish football authorities face mounting pressure to restore public trust and integrity in the sport.
