"More than 1,000 players were suspended by the Turkish Football Federation in a widening betting scandal, including national team defender Eren Elmali, who has been a Champions League regular for Galatasaray this season. Elmali published a statement late Monday to explain his involvement in the case after he was pulled from the Turkey squad preparing to play World Cup qualifying games against Spain and Bulgaria."
"The federation said third- and fourth-tier divisions are shut down for two weeks, but games in the Super League -- led by defending champion Galatasaray -- and second tier will continue. Turkish football has been rocked by investigations into alleged widespread betting by referees, and now players, on games which is prohibited by FIFA. More than 150 referees are alleged to have bet on games, including seven who are approved to handle top-level games and 15 top-level assistants."
""Our duty is to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to purge it of all its filth," federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said at a news conference two weeks ago. Turkish football has enjoyed a revival in recent years. The country will co-host the men's 2032 European Championship with Italy, the national team reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul has been picked by UEFA to stage several finals in European club competitions."
More than 1,000 players were suspended by the Turkish Football Federation amid a widening betting scandal that also involves referees and club officials. Eren Elmali, a 25-year-old national team defender who joined Galatasaray this year, was pulled from the Turkey squad and acknowledged betting on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team. Elmali and teammate Metehan Baltaci are among 1,024 players referred to a disciplinary commission. The federation suspended third- and fourth-tier competitions for two weeks while Super League and second-tier matches continue. Investigations allege over 150 referees bet on games and several club executives have been questioned.
Read at ESPN.com
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