Published on: November 3, 2025, 08:15h.

Updated on: November 3, 2025, 08:15h.

• Turkish football integrity compromised by major referee betting scandal.
• TFF suspends 149 referees following extensive five-year probe.
• Fans urge annulment of results amid rising corruption fears.

Supporters of Turkish soccer are demanding the cancellation of results from specific matches as news breaks regarding the suspension of 149 referees for their involvement in betting on games.

A thorough investigation by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) over five years has revealed that out of 571 professional match officials, 371 possessed betting accounts and 152 engaged in frequent gambling activities. Three others are still under investigation.

Betting is prohibited under TFF regulations, in addition to FIFA andUEFA rules, especially for referees, due to the risks it poses to match integrity.

Compromised Officials

While none of the officials have been accused of directly altering game outcomes, some did wager on matches they officiated, according to the TFF. Any proven match-fixing could result in prison terms ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 years, alongside lifetime bans from the sport.

The implicated referees, including seven from the prestigious Turkish Süper Lig, received suspensions ranging from eight to 12 months, determined by the “seriousness of the offense,” the TFF reported. It was uncovered that 42 referees had placed bets on more than 1,000 matches, with one individual having made a staggering 18,227 bets.

Additionally, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated a criminal investigation as of April, thought to encompass referees, clubs, and players across all divisions.

The TFF has announced plans to enhance supervision, aiming to implement a system to monitor referees’ financial activities and enforce lifetime bans for anyone caught wagering on sports events.

No Game Annulments

In an interview with the German broadcaster DW, Turkish sports attorney Mert Yaşar stated that replaying matches where bets were placed or reversing results, as some fans have called for on social media, is unfeasible.

“New referees will be appointed for the current season,” Yaşar explained. “Results from prior seasons cannot be altered. Because they are officially recorded, outcomes will remain unchanged.”

Sadettin Saran, president of Süper Lig team Fenerbahçe, characterized the situation as “both alarming and disheartening for Turkish football,” but expressed that its disclosure could be seen as “a positive step forward.”