An unexpected scandal has erupted in Turkish football - the results of an internal investigation conducted by the country's Football Federation have shocked the entire sports community, reports Daily Sabah.
According to the data, as a result of a comprehensive survey and financial analysis conducted in recent months, it was found that 65% of football referees operating in Turkey have personal accounts on bookmaking platforms.
The work didn't end there - studies showed that at least 152 of them actively participated in gambling. In other words, one in four referees participated in sports-related cash sewing operations.
This situation cast a serious shadow not only on domestic competitions but on the reputation of all Turkish football. According to FIFA and UEFA rules, football referees are strictly prohibited from engaging in bookmaking activities. Persons who violate this requirement may not only be removed from office for life, but also be held criminally liable.
The leadership of the Turkish Football Federation assessed this situation as a "systemic error" and called an emergency meeting. According to the Federation, some referees stated that they "did not place bets from their accounts, but were registered to follow statistics or news." However, according to the results of the investigation, such arguments were deemed unfounded.
The Federation's Disciplinary Committee is currently conducting a separate survey of all participants. It was stated that if criminal elements are detected, the case will be sent to law enforcement agencies.
Football fans and experts in the country are deeply dissatisfied with this situation. They emphasize: trust in referees has already decreased in recent years, and now the situation has completely worsened.
The problem was also evident in February - at that time, in one of the most important matches of the Turkish Super League, the derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, an experienced referee from the Netherlands, Danny McKelly, was involved, not a local referee.
Even then, this decision was interpreted as an open sign of "lack of trust in the judicial system." Now, the results of an internal investigation seemed to confirm the validity of this skepticism.
The Turkish Football Federation is expected to present a plan for a fundamental refereeing update in the coming weeks. At the same time, it is planned to introduce a special "code of ethics" for young referees and develop a mechanism for strict internal control over gambling.
Football analysts emphasize that this should be a warning chain not only for Turkey but also for global football. Because the impartiality of the referee is more important than the result of the game, and its purity determines the future of the whole sport.
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