Several referees affected
New developments in the Turkish betting scandal: eight arrest warrants
11/11/2025 – 9:58 a.mReading time: 1 min.
Serious allegations, dozens of suspensions: Turkish football is coming under massive pressure due to a large-scale betting scandal.
A court in Istanbul has issued arrest warrants for eight suspects in connection with a betting scandal in Turkish football. According to the state news agency Anadolu, Murat Özkaya, president of the second division club Eyüpspor, is among them. Several referees are also said to be affected.
Eleven other people were conditionally released. The defendants are accused of, among other things, abuse of office and competition manipulation.
The Turkish Football Association (TFF) made it public at the end of October that a total of 152 referees had placed bets. The investigations are now also directed against clubs and players. The TFF has suspended 149 referees and assistant referees for periods between eight and twelve months. According to media reports, active players are also the focus of the investigation.