Referee Betting Scandal Hits Turkish Football
The Turkish Football Federation has confirmed that 152 referees were involved in sports betting, including seven working at the top level of the Süper Lig. In total, 371 of Türkiye’s 571 active referees were found to hold betting accounts.
More Than Half of Referees Registered on Betting Platforms
At a press briefing in Istanbul, Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu confirmed that internal audits conducted alongside financial regulators and licensed betting platforms revealed widespread betting activities by match officials.
“Out of 571 referees, 371 hold betting accounts, and 152 are actively gambling. We are determined to clean our football from any shadow of corruption. There will be no exceptions,” he said.
Seven referees from the elite pool overseeing Süper Lig matches were also flagged for misconduct and now face disciplinary procedures. Potential sanctions range from suspensions and lifetime bans to criminal referrals under FIFA and UEFA regulations, which strictly prohibit match officials from gambling or even holding betting accounts.
A Presidency Defined by Reform and Controversy
Hacıosmanoğlu, 59, previously led Trabzonspor and has long positioned himself as a critic of football’s governing elite. Elected TFF president in July 2024 by a margin of just five votes, he promised to “rebuild trust in Turkish football” and eliminate entrenched practices that undermine fair play.
Since taking office, he has pushed through reforms including tighter VAR oversight and greater transparency in referee appointments. Türkiye’s increased representation in FIFA committees has been seen as a diplomatic win. However, his combative approach has polarized clubs, supporters and officials in equal measure.
Monday’s announcement is the most dramatic development of his tenure and a significant test of whether his administration can move beyond rhetoric and deliver systemic change.
Refereeing Turmoil in Turkish Football
The scandal comes during an already volatile season for Turkish football. In February, the TFF drew criticism after appointing Dutch referee Danny Makkelie for the high-profile Galatasaray–Fenerbahçe derby amid public mistrust of domestic officials.
Further tensions escalated after messages linked to Jose Mourinho accused Turkish referees of “systemic favoritism,” while several FIFA-listed referees filed criminal complaints in September, alleging workplace harassment and manipulated match appointments. Those cases are now before the courts, adding to growing institutional instability.
Although sports betting is legal in Türkiye, both FIFA and UEFA prohibit referees from participating in any form of wagering. The TFF audit reportedly matched referee identities with national betting databases, identifying repeated activity on both domestic and international fixtures.
Public Outcry and Political Fallout
The revelations triggered immediate backlash online. On X, #HakemBahisSkandalı and #TFFİstifa trended within minutes, with supporters demanding the suspension of implicated referees and full disclosure of names. Financial analyst Ibrahim Ethem Afacan’s post highlighting Hacıosmanoğlu’s figures went viral, capturing the disbelief among fans.
Reactions have split along club lines. Supporters of Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray are calling for sweeping structural reform, while many Trabzonspor fans have rallied around Hacıosmanoğlu, portraying him as a rare official willing to confront long-standing issues.
As of late Monday, the TFF has not released the identities of the referees involved or confirmed a disciplinary timeline. Hacıosmanoğlu has promised “decisive steps” in the coming days.
FIFA and UEFA have been formally notified and may launch their own inquiries. Calls are growing for independent oversight, external audits and stricter monitoring of referee activities.