Turkish Football Federation, Galatasaray, Besiktas

Betting scandal shakes Turkish football

November 11, 2025 Oliver Obel

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported that a court on Monday ordered the arrest of Eyupspor chairman Murat Özkaya and seven others in connection with betting on football matches. Eyupspor, which competes in the Turkish Super Lig, has yet to comment publicly on the arrests.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed that 1,024 players from multiple divisions were referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Council (PFDK) for investigation. Of those, 27 players from the Super Lig — including members of Galatasaray and Besiktas — were immediately suspended from competition.

This sweeping action follows an earlier round of disciplinary measures in which the TFF suspended 149 referees and assistant referees earlier this month for betting-related offenses.

Emergency measures and fallout

Facing a crisis that has disrupted club rosters nationwide, the TFF said it has begun urgent discussions with FIFA to introduce a temporary 15-day national transfer window, allowing clubs to rebuild their squads before the 2025–2026 winter transfer period.

“Due to the precautionary transfer of 1,024 football players to the PFDK, negotiations have been initiated urgently with FIFA,” the federation said. The proposal would help teams address the sudden shortage of eligible players.

Meanwhile, matches in Turkey’s second- and third-tier leagues have been postponed for two weeks. Local media reported that the TFF’s board is expected to hold an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday afternoon to determine next steps.

This move underscores how deeply the scandal has affected the structure of Turkish football — from referees to club executives — and the urgency of restoring public trust in the sport.

A moral and institutional crisis

TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu has described the affair as a “moral crisis in Turkish football,” acknowledging the scale of the issue. The federation’s internal investigation revealed troubling statistics: out of 571 active referees, 371 held betting accounts, with 152 actively gambling.

One referee reportedly placed 18,227 bets, while 42 others wagered on more than 1,000 matches each.

“This is not just a disciplinary issue — it’s an ethical collapse that challenges the foundations of Turkish football,” said Mehmet Kaya, a sports columnist for Hurriyet Daily News, noting that the revelations have shaken public confidence.

Wider repercussions and international attention

The investigation remains ongoing and has drawn international attention, as observers await FIFA’s response to the TFF’s request for a special transfer window. The outcome could set a precedent for how global football authorities handle large-scale betting scandals.

The case is already being viewed as one of the most significant integrity crises in Turkish football history — a moment that may compel sweeping reforms in how the sport is regulated and monitored at every level.

Sources: Reuters, Anadolu Agency, BBC, AP