Turkey Goes After Match-Fixers and Corrupt Soccer Insiders

In the latest move against corruption in sports, Turkey has arrested eight people, including a top-flight club chairman, alleging betting violations.

More Individuals Arrested amid Sprawling Betting Scandal

This is the latest enforcement move against black market betting operations, authorities have said, with the country previously targeting influencers, social media accounts, and other individuals.

Authorities are also investigating 1,024 players who are facing disciplinary action, following the suspension of 149 referees and assistant referees, who are said to have been gambling on top-flight and second-tier soccer games in Turkey, many of which they personally oversaw.

Eyupspor Chairman Murat Ozkaya is among the arrested, based on local media reporting. At least 27 players from the Super Lig, the country’s flagship soccer competition, have also been suspected of foul play and are among those facing disciplinary action.

Turkey Faces Its Worst Soccer Moral Crisis, TFF Boss Says

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has also urgently reached out to FIFA, requesting a 15-day transfer and registration period extension of the usual winter transfer period, citing the pending investigations into over a thousand players, which have considerably strained the process.

TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has said that this was the worst moral crisis the sport has faced in living memory. The TFF also believes that 371 out of 571 active referees in professional leagues across the country are actually registered and place bets on sports, with at least 152 actively gambling.

In the worst instance, one referee placed 18,227 wagers, and 42 referees have bet on more than 1,000 soccer games each.