Investigation into Betting Practices in Turkish Football
A significant inquiry into betting practices within Turkish football has escalated, leading prosecutors to issue warrants for the arrest of 21 individuals on Friday. This group comprises 17 referees alongside the president of a prominent football club, amidst rising concerns over match integrity.
Details of the Crackdown
According to the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office, a crackdown was initiated early in the morning, resulting in the apprehension of at least 18 suspects in coordinated actions across Istanbul and an additional 11 provinces. The referees involved are currently being scrutinized for potential violations related to ‘abuse of office’ and ‘manipulating match outcomes’.
Key Figures Under Investigation
Murat Ozkaya, the president of Eyupspor, a team competing in the Turkish Super Lig, is among those under investigation, alongside Fatih Sarac, who previously owned Kasımpasa. It is noteworthy that Kasımpasa itself has come under trusteeship due to a separate corruption inquiry linked to its prior ownership.
Suspension of Referees
The situation unraveled when the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) took the drastic step of suspending 149 referees and assistant referees last week. TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu disclosed that a government agency had uncovered that 371 out of 571 active referees had accounts with betting companies. Alarmingly, among these, 152 referees were found to have placed bets on football matches, including seven top-tier referees and 15 high-ranking assistant referees.
Concerns Over Match Integrity
Haciosmanoglu provided more troubling details, revealing that some referees had engaged in betting activities on an excessive number of matches, with one reportedly betting on 18,227 games alone over a five-year span. This raises significant questions regarding the credibility of officiating in the Turkish football scene.
