TM expert explains background
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The article was first published on October 27 at 4:14 p.m. and was updated with new information on Tuesday.
According to the national football association, hundreds of referees in the Turkish professional leagues have taken part in betting on games. There are 152 referees who are said to have actively placed bets, said the President of the Turkish Football Association (TFF), İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, according to the “Anadolu” news agency on Monday. According to new information on Tuesday, the scandal has now spread to clubs and players. The top Turkish clubs reacted with shock and are demanding transparent action.
“There were seven referees from the Süper Lig, 15 assistant referees from the Süper Lig, 36 referees from the 1st Lig (second highest division; editor) and 94 assistant referees from the 1st Lig! Of these, 10 referees placed over 10,000 bets, one referee alone placed 18,227 bets, 42 referees placed bets on over 1,000 individual bets Football games and some referees only placed individual games,” Hacıosmanoğlu said on Monday.
Overall, evaluations showed that 371 of 571 active referees in the professional leagues had a betting account. The disciplinary committee will now initiate the “necessary procedures,” said Hacıosmanoğlu, without giving any specific details. Betting is also generally prohibited for referees in the Turkish leagues. “I appeal to our respected clubs. We have started with the referees, but my board and I are also carrying out our own internal reviews with the relevant government institutions. We will announce the results of this work shortly.”
Following the TFF President’s statement, many Turkish clubs pledged their support in clearing up the cases. Galatasaray wrote: “We consider this initiative led by Mr. Hacıosmanoğlu to be a significant turning point for Turkish football.” A statement from Fenerbahce said: “In order to restore the credibility of Turkish football, it is crucial that this information is passed on without concealment and without hesitation. Otherwise, it will be impossible to restore public trust in the football community.”
Betting scandal in Türkiye spreads to players and clubs
The broadcaster “Habertürk” now reported, citing judicial circles, that clubs and players are also being investigated. As a result, 3,700 players are in the sights of the judiciary. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated and the Istanbul public prosecutor’s office also began investigations.
The top Turkish clubs reacted with shock. Galatasaray said the developments highlighted the extent of the crisis of trust and justice that Turkish football has long been facing: “We believe that it is of great importance that the association transparently discloses to the public the names of the referees who have been found to have betting accounts, the matches they officiate and the size of the bets they place.”
Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran said after his team’s game against Gaziantep on Monday evening that he believes the matter will be cleared up and a new page will be turned for football afterwards. The revelations are “shocking” and “deeply saddening,” but “the fact that this is coming to light is a hopeful development.” Besiktas called for a transparent review. The investigations are valuable and a milestone for clean football.
Süper Lig: top games on the weekend with foreign referees?
It is currently unclear to what extent the proceedings will affect ongoing game operations. Next weekend, the top four of the table will compete in direct duels at Galatasaray against Trabzonspor and Besiktas JK against Fenerbahce. Foreign referees were initially discussed as a possible scenario. According to TFF Vice President Mecnun Otyakmaz, this shouldn’t be an issue. The aim is to strengthen young Turkish talent, he says at “gazetefutbol.de“quoted.
“Many fans would support foreign referees, but that is decided by the Turkish association and so far there is no information about it,” explained Sinan Yener, editor at Transfermarkt.com.tron Monday. “It’s extremely difficult to get foreign referees. They’ve wanted to in recent years. But Germany, Spain and France haven’t sent any referees. Furthermore, it would cost a lot if foreign referees came for all Süper Lig games. Slavko Vinčić refereed the game between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe last season, he got 3,600 euros for the game. And if foreign referees If referees only come for derbies or top games, the teams will also complain.”
Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that the affected referees will be taken out of action quickly. “There are over 120 teams in the Turkish professional leagues – that means at least 60 referees are needed every week. If you suddenly remove so many referees, it could cause big problems. The association will probably gradually replace the referees and gradually install new ones,” says Yener.