The Turkish Football Federation suspended 1,024 players yesterday. All were referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board under Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Instructions.
The TFF published a complete list of affected players on its website, showing which clubs they represent. Local reports say some club presidents and chairmen were also arrested.
But players aren’t the only ones facing consequences. The federation suspended 149 referees and assistant referees after its internal audit revealed betting patterns.
Why This Investigation Exposes Systemic Problems
The audit uncovered betting activity among 371 of Turkey’s 571 active referees. That’s nearly two-thirds of all officials.
And 152 of those referees placed bets on football matches. The numbers get worse from there.
Forty-two referees made over 1,000 wagers each during the review period. One referee placed 18,227 bets. These aren’t isolated incidents.
The scale suggests match-fixing concerns go deeper than anyone expected. Turkish football’s integrity now faces serious questions from both domestic and international observers.
What the Federation Found During October’s Investigation
The probe started in October but accelerated last week. Authorities detained 17 referees, then issued warrants for 21 people total.
Those warrants covered referees, assistant referees, and club officials. The TFF completed its audit and handed findings to law enforcement.
The federation took immediate action on league operations. TFF 2 League and TFF 3 League will pause for two weeks. But the top two divisions, TFF Super League and TFF 1 League, continue as scheduled.
Interestingly, 47 of the suspended players had placed just one bet. They’re caught in the same dragnet as repeat offenders.
How Turkish Football Plans to Recover
The two-week suspension of lower leagues creates scheduling problems. The TFF is now negotiating with FIFA for help.
They’ve requested an extra 15 days added to the 2025-2026 winter transfer window. This would give affected clubs time to rebuild their squads after the investigation concludes.
Top-tier matches continue despite the chaos below them. This keeps broadcast deals and sponsorship commitments intact. The federation appears to be protecting its most valuable commercial assets.
Clubs in the lower divisions face immediate roster crises. Many need to sign replacement players before their leagues resume. The extended transfer window would ease that pressure, assuming FIFA approves the request.
