Turkish Football Betting Scandal
In a significant development in the ongoing betting scandal within Turkish football, over a thousand players, totaling 1,024, have faced suspensions issued by the Turkish Football Federation. This list includes Eren Elmali, a defender for the national team and a key player for Galatasaray, where he has been competing in the Champions League this season.
Eren Elmali’s Admission
After being excluded from the national squad slated to confront Spain and Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers, the 25-year-old Elmali took to Instagram late Monday to clarify his involvement in the scandal. He admitted to placing a bet on a match approximately five years ago, emphasizing that it was a game that did not feature his own team. Elmali has been with Galatasaray since this past year.
Impact on Galatasaray and Other Players
Additionally, Elmali’s teammate at Galatasaray, Metehan Baltaci, is also named among those suspended. The Turkish Football Federation has temporarily closed down the third- and fourth-tier divisions for a period of two weeks as a part of their investigation. However, matches in the Super League, which is currently led by defending champion Galatasaray, and the second-tier division will proceed as scheduled.
Wider Implications of the Scandal
This scandal has shaken the foundation of Turkish football, revealing widespread betting practices among referees and players, a violation of FIFA regulations. Reports suggest that more than 150 referees are under scrutiny for betting on matches, including several top-level officials. The current president of Eyupspor, a prominent club in the top tier, along with the former owner of Kasımpasa, have also been implicated and subjected to questioning as part of the investigation.
Commitment to Clean Football
Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu stated that their mission is to elevate Turkish football and cleanse it of corruption, a sentiment echoed during a press briefing held two weeks earlier.
Despite these challenges, Turkish football has recently seen a resurgence, with the nation set to co-host the men’s 2032 European Championship with Italy, the national squad reaching the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul being selected by UEFA to host several high-profile finals in European club tournaments.
