Turkish Football Rocked by Massive Gambling Scandal: Over 1,000 Players Suspended
Istanbul, Turkey – A sweeping scandal has engulfed Turkish football, with the national federation suspending more than 1,000 players over alleged involvement in illegal gambling.The suspensions include 27 footballers from prominent Süper Lig clubs galatasaray and Beşiktaş, throwing the upcoming season into uncertainty.
The unprecedented action follows a large-scale investigation revealing widespread betting activity among players and officials, raising serious questions about the integrity of Turkish football. The suspensions come on the heels of 149 referees already sidelined earlier this month, after one official was found to have placed over 18,000 bets on matches. This crisis threatens to damage the reputation of the sport in Turkey as the nation prepares to co-host the UEFA European Championship in 2032 with Italy.
Among those suspended is Turkish international Eren Elmali, a defender for Galatasaray.Elmali publicly addressed the allegations via Instagram, stating he participated in gambling once five years ago, but emphatically denied betting on any matches involving his team.
The investigation has already led to eight arrests,including a club executive,signaling the depth and seriousness of the alleged corruption. the suspended players and referees will now face disciplinary proceedings, with potential sanctions ranging from further suspensions to lifetime bans. The Turkish federation has vowed to root out corruption and restore confidence in the league, but the scandal has already cast a long shadow over the sport in the country.
