The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended more than 1000 players from its professional leagues amid a wide-ranging investigation into illegal betting activities. In a statement, the TFF confirmed that 1024 players had been identified as having placed bets on football matches, a direct violation of both domestic and international regulations. Among them are 27 players from Turkey's top division, all of whom have been referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) for further action. The fallout from the scandal has already begun to disrupt the football calendar. Matches in Turkey's third and fourth tiers have been suspended for two weeks while the investigation continues, although fixtures in the Super Lig and second division will go ahead as planned.
Particularly alarming is the fact that seven referees and 15 assistant referees who work in the Super Lig are among the suspects. "One referee alone placed 18,227 bets," TFF President Ibrahim Hacosmanoglu told a press conference. "We are determined to rid football of any trace of corruption. We will make no exceptions." The scale of the scandal suggests systematic, organized structures.
