The football betting scandal in Turkey, which has seen more than 1,000 officials, players, and club workers arrested, is set to expand according to one of the country’s top prosecutors. The ongoing crackdown follows disclosures of gambling activity by a large number of players and referees identified in internal audits by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).
Top law official reveals plans for further arrests
The chief public prosecutor in Istanbul, Akın Gürlek, announced on Thursday, November 20, 2025, that further investigations are imminent as a probe into illegal betting and match-fixing allegations in the Turkish Football Federation continues.
He told reporters: “Whoever was involved in cheating, we are chasing them. There will be club chairmen and club executives in the probes. There may be ties between chairmen and referees, coaches, and commentators. We are investigating everything.” (1)
According to figures disclosed by the TFF and reported by Daily Sabah, internal audits uncovered referees holding betting accounts, which is a direct violation of FIFA and UEFA rule, leading to more than 1,000 players being suspended for betting violations under Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction (FDT) (2).
Authorities have been working with financial regulators, whistle-blowers and international bodies including Interpol. Prosecutors are collecting and reviewing relevant financial data as part of the widening inquiry.
Mass arrest warrants issued
The TFF disclosed that out of 571 active professional referees, 371 held betting accounts and 152 were actively betting on football matches. On November 1, the TFF suspended 149 referees and assistant referees for gambling breaches, with bans ranging from eight to twelve months, according to the same reporting.
Prosecutors issued detention warrants for 21 individuals, including 17 referees and one top-flight club president, on charges related to abuse of duty and influencing match outcomes.
The Turkish Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) is currently reviewing the transactions involving referees and club officials suspected of illegal gambling activity.
Response from the accused and the wider football society in Turkey
Some referees have denied placing bets on matches they officiated, blaming pre-professional betting or identity theft.
The reaction from major clubs within the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has been largely supportive of the authorities’ investigation of the league. Representatives from Fenerbahçe noted that the findings echoed long-standing concerns about the legitimacy of officiating in the Turkish Süper Lig. In 2024, the club had publicly threatened to withdraw from the league due to what it viewed as suspicious refereeing decisions.
Some observers argue the scale of the probe could prompt significant changes to refereeing protocols, monitoring systems and disciplinary procedures within the league.
Latest betting scandal a setback for Turkish football
This investigation is the latest in a series of scandals in Turkey, most notably the match-fixing affair of 2011, although a court later declared all parties innocent.
The current investigation appears to have begun with a TFF audit released in October 2025, which identified hundreds of referees holding betting accounts and escalated into a nationwide criminal and disciplinary review.
Under Turkish law (Law No. 6222 on Preventing Violence and Disorder in Sports), match-manipulation offences carry prison sentences of one to three years, with longer sentences possible if organised crime is proven.
The disciplinary framework in the TFF’s regulatory guidebook Futbol Disiplin Talimatı (FDT) recommends bans ranging from 45 days to 12 months for betting offences involving players. Penalties may be more severe where officials are involved.
Euro 2032 and beyond…the bigger picture
For the Turkish gambling market and the country’s wider sports landscape, this scandal presents a serious challenge. Betting firms, clubs, regulators and international partners such as UEFA and Interpol all have stakes in an investigation unfolding less than seven years before Turkey co-hosts the European Championships in 2032.
Officials will be focused on ensuring the country’s football authorities enforce the requirements of fairness and genuine sporting integrity before all eyes turn on Turkey.
What happens next
In the immediate future, further raids and arrests are expected, as confirmed by the lead prosecutor. The TFF is expected to continue its disciplinary process, with more referrals to its Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) anticipated. Additional bans and fines for players and officials are likely to follow as more cases of foul play are uncovered. .
Sustained pressure from the wider football community may push legislators and regulatory agencies to consider tighter rules around referee monitoring, betting-account transparency and financial-reporting obligations for league members.
Further education for players, coaches and referees on betting rules and integrity standards is also likely to come about as a result of the findings. International monitoring bodies may also conduct their own assessments of Turkish football’s governance and integrity safeguards, which is not ideal timing for a country on the cusp of hosting an international tournament.
The Turkish football betting investigation has widened significantly. What began with referees betting on games has developed into a broader inquiry examining the very fabric of football fairness. It has been an earth-shattering event for the football-mad country and, it appears, a comprehensive PR repair job will be required before the country can move on.
Sources
- https://www.dailysabah.com/sports/football/top-prosecutor-signals-more-raids-amid-turkish-ref-betting-scandal
- https://www.tff.org/Resources/TFF/Documents/02010DK/TFF/ENG/Tal/TFF-Statutes.pdf
