TFF Uncovers Widespread Referee Gambling Crisis

[TryNinja]

I don't think they are totally prohibited from gambling or it's related activities, the rule only prohibits them from betting on the games or matches that they are participating/ officiating.

Although i didn’t find a direct statement from UEFA but it’s in the FIFA code of ethics edition  2023 itself , they are forbidden entirely from participating in it…

As it should be... if you let referees gamble on other games, they might just take turns on betting on their friends match while favoring a team because of their betslip.

Referees shouldn't be able to gamble. Period. Money means everything in the world, even more in a league where the pay isn't the greatest. Give them a breach and soon all games will be under suspicious because of refs giving extra cards just to take some extra money home.

The bad thing is that it should be easy to get some friends to bet on their behalf, making those cases harder to detect.

[karabiber]

Match-fixing has been going on in Turkish leagues for years. This is nothing new and its recent emergence is no surprise. Match-fixing has been exposed through referee and player statements, as well as confessions made years later. Now it has come to light that referees have also been betting. This is quite normal. Everyone in Türkiye knew this was happening. I don't know what will come of the legal aspect of this, but we shouldn't get our hopes up. When it comes to the bigwigs, they manipulate the law and nothing happens to them. Unfortunately, there is no properly functioning independent legal system.

These incidents certainly exist in other leagues too. They just don't come to light. Italy carried out its Clean Hands operation. I haven't seen such a clean-up in any other leagues.

A thorough clean up of the Turkish League is essential. The TFF management shocked everyone with their statements, but there are many people who feel this situation exists but cannot speak out. I hope the TFF management addresses all these issues and cleans up whatever mess there is. Because we haven't been able to enjoy watching matches in the Turkish League for a long time. Politics and football. These two are very closely intertwined in Turkey, and this situation can delay or postpone the exposure of certain matters. The only thing to do is a comprehensive clean up.

[LGD2Business]

Even with the involvement of FIFA and UEFA?

The football industry in the country is so big that it's intertwined with politics. Football is the biggest sport in the country and the fan bases of the 3 major clubs number in the tens of millions. Naturally, this is a force large enough to influence election results. The attitude of the fans can even influence elections in the country. And the reverse is also true. Clubs that go against the ruling party suffer negative consequences. In such an environment, who cares about FIFA and UEFA? We are talking about a mentality that can cover up any incident they want and fabricate evidence to support whatever they want. No one is looking for justice. There are interest groups and everyone is thinking about their own interests. In such an environment, expecting clean football would be very naive, to say the least.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

If the professional team players and referees can participate in sports betting despite knowing that it is against their contract agreement with the league they are working, that means the local team are not also innocent of this act. When I watch some matches and I see how aggressive the referee was in making sure that luck run against one of the team, I just feel that maybe it's a normal thing or the referee is upset with the team but we can tell know that they are probably being aggressive on the other team that they have bet against so that their bet will be good.

[LGD2Business]

Even with the involvement of FIFA and UEFA?

A significant amount of money was bet on Beşiktaş receiving a red card in today's match. The referee immediately showed Beşiktaş a red card and those who placed that bet won. Even in the derby that week, when it was confirmed that referees were betting, this could happen. What will UEFA and FIFA do about this? They can't do anything. Match-fixing never ends in Türkiye. All these referees are separate triggermen. There are no clean referees. There is no justice on the field.

[promise444c5]

Even with the involvement of FIFA and UEFA?

A significant amount of money was bet on Beşiktaş receiving a red card in today's match. The referee immediately showed Beşiktaş a red card and those who placed that bet won. Even in the derby that week, when it was confirmed that referees were betting, this could happen. What will UEFA and FIFA do about this? They can't do anything. Match-fixing never ends in Türkiye. All these referees are separate triggermen. There are no clean referees. There is no justice on the field.

Didn’t know much about the leagues in Turkey but Besiktas seem to be playing in the Turkish Super Lig, which I guess is their main league. I checked the Kökçü red card and to me it was a clear red, the tackle was dirty and unnecessary. So it’s either there was nothing attached or the player sold the game.
In that same article, there were previous reports with no evidence but now, there’re evidences to back it up. I don’t know what will happen but let’s see how it turns out.

[promise444c5]

Here’s an update regarding the Match fixing palaver in the Turkish league…

https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?ftxtID=48825&pageID=1294

Although I can’t really verify if truly that’s the list, it somehow looks like it… At least, it’s a referral report to the Professional Football Discipline Board in Turkey (I guess, anyone can correct me).

Furthermore, an article on Reuters claimed:

“Turkey suspends 149 referees after betting probe” on November 1 2025

Another article came in on 7th of November claiming “Turkey orders arrest of 17 referees, club president in betting probe”

You can get the full gist direct from the second article…

[karabiber]

Here’s an update regarding the Match fixing palaver in the Turkish league…

https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?ftxtID=48825&pageID=1294

Although I can’t really verify if truly that’s the list, it somehow looks like it… At least, it’s a referral report to the Professional Football Discipline Board in Turkey (I guess, anyone can correct me).

Furthermore, an article on Reuters claimed:

“Turkey suspends 149 referees after betting probe” on November 1 2025

Another article came in on 7th of November claiming “Turkey orders arrest of 17 referees, club president in betting probe”

You can get the full gist direct from the second article…

New developments are emerging in the betting scandal. Detention orders have been issued for 21 people, including 17 referees and two club presidents, as part of the betting investigation. Eyüpspor Club President Murat Özkaya, former owner of Kasımpaşa Club Turgay Ciner, and former club president Fatih Saraç have also been accused of influencing match results. Following separate investigations in September, an administrator was appointed to the Super League team Kasımpaşa. The referees issued a statement denying the allegations, but the betting scandal appears to be growing and could lead to major scandals.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cx2pgzpvg35o

[nelson4lov]

Yes, I'm sure it's going on in other leagues as well but will be top secret stuff that will likely never get leaked. People have been saying this for years that some leagues have some manipulation in it and I tend to agree with it. The Turkish investigation is just a small part of it as the corruption grows deep and will obviously not stop as long as some people at the top are benefiting from it. Before it used to be players betting on their own games. Now we have referees betting on games they officiate.

It's over
 

[Davidvictorson]

The Turkish Football Federation said on Monday that it was investigating more than 150 referees in professional leagues who were allegedly betting on football matches.

Wow. First of all, congratulations to the Turkish Football Federation for doing a good job on this. They are preserving the integrity and sanctity of the sport.

According to art. 27 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, they could be fined  atleast CHF 100,000 ~ $120k+and a ban on taking part in any football related activity for a maximum of three years: Source..

My question is : Do you believe similar issues might be happening in other leagues? and do you think the punishment is fair in cases like this ? If not what punishment would you suggest..

Yes, their punishment should be stricter so that their colleagues can be discouraged from ever having to entertain the thought talk less of even executing on it.

[Slow death]

Here’s an update regarding the Match fixing palaver in the Turkish league…

https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?ftxtID=48825&pageID=1294

Although I can’t really verify if truly that’s the list, it somehow looks like it… At least, it’s a referral report to the Professional Football Discipline Board in Turkey (I guess, anyone can correct me).

Furthermore, an article on Reuters claimed:

“Turkey suspends 149 referees after betting probe” on November 1 2025

Another article came in on 7th of November claiming “Turkey orders arrest of 17 referees, club president in betting probe”

You can get the full gist direct from the second article…

In smaller leagues, fixed-match schedules can still exist. In the case of Turkey, I've seen some people complaining about how the referees aren't performing well in the top league, but in my opinion, the problem might be that the referees are under pressure. Now imagine if people in the Turkish top league already complain about the referees, then what happens in the lower leagues?

Perhaps fixed matches will occur. In any case, if the courts hand down exemplary sentences, I believe this kind of thing won't happen again. If politicians don't enact strong anti-corruption laws, then things like this will continue even if the courts show good intentions in handing down exemplary punishments.

[ryzaadit]

Bro these is not new.

It's already in discussion and regular topic for these case. We already seeing bunch of these in the 2010 and more... so nothing suprise. My advice don't betting in a small leagues. Always in higher leagues.

Just my two cents.