Turkish Football Federation Suspends Over 1,000 Players Amid Betting Scandal

The Turkish Football Federation has announced the suspension of over 1,000 players in connection with an escalating betting scandal. Among those suspended is national team defender Eren Elmali, who has been a regular participant in the Champions League with Galatasaray this season.

On Monday, Elmali issued a statement regarding his involvement in the case after being removed from the Turkey squad set to compete in World Cup qualifying matches against Spain and Bulgaria. In his Instagram post, the 25-year-old explained that he placed a bet on a game approximately five years ago, which did not involve his own team. Elmali joined Galatasaray earlier this year.

Elmali, along with his Galatasaray teammate Metehan Baltaci, is among the 1,024 players listed by the Turkish federation who have been referred to a disciplinary commission. In response to the scandal, the federation has announced a two-week suspension of matches in the third and fourth divisions, while games in the Super League, led by defending champion Galatasaray, and the second tier will proceed as scheduled.

Turkish football is currently under scrutiny due to investigations into alleged widespread betting activities involving referees and players, a practice that is prohibited by FIFA regulations. Reports indicate that more than 150 referees are suspected of betting on matches, including seven officials authorized to officiate at the top level and 15 high-ranking assistants.

Additionally, the president of Eyupspor, a club in the top tier, and the former owner of Kasımpasa have also been implicated and questioned in connection with the scandal.

During a news conference held two weeks ago, federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu emphasized the organization’s commitment to restoring the integrity of Turkish football. “Our duty is to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to purge it of all its filth,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, Turkish football has experienced a revival in recent years. The country is set to co-host the men’s 2032 European Championship alongside Italy, the national team recently reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, and Istanbul has been selected by UEFA to host several finals in European club competitions.