Turkish football has been in a state of shock since Monday, when the president of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed that 152 of the 571 active referees are suspected of involvement in illegal betting activities. Particularly alarming is the fact that seven referees and 15 assistant referees who work in the Super Lig are among the suspects.
"One referee alone placed 18,227 bets," TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu told a press conference. "We are determined to rid football of any trace of corruption. We will make no exceptions."
The scale of the scandal suggests systematic, organized structures. The revelations also suggest a lack of sufficient oversight of Turkey's referees and call into question the credibility of the professional game in the country.
Long bans or even jail sentences possible
During his press conference, the TFF boss stressed that the federation had initiated disciplinary proceedings against the referees allegedly involved without delay. TFF statutes provide for bans of between three months and one year – and in cases of particularly serious violations, an official could face a lifetime ban.
Particularly serious is the suspicion that some referees may have bet on matches they officiated, an offence that could also be closely linked to an allegation of match-fixing. Should this be confirmed, those involved would stand to face not only lifetime bans from football, but also prison sentences of between 18 months and four and a half years.
"We have started with the referees, but my board and I are also conducting our own internal reviews with the relevant government institutions," Haciosmanoglu added. "We will announce the results of this work shortly."
No disruption to Super Lig
Despite the allegations, legal experts currently see no grounds for annulling results or further action affecting league tables. Nevertheless, the current season could be disrupted if a large number of referees were to be suspended. In that case, the TFF could call in foreign referees to ensure that the season can continue without disruption.
"The fact that this is coming to light is a hopeful development," said Sadettin Saran, president of Istanbul club Fenerbahce. "But it is crucial that this information is transparently disseminated without delay."
Report: Clubs and players also being investigated
"We view this initiative, led by Mr. Haciosmanoglu, as a significant turning point for Turkish football," fellow Istanbul outfit Galatasaray said in a press release. Besiktas issued a similar statement: "The results of the investigation could mark a new beginning for clean football."
Meanwhile, the betting scandal in Turkish football appears to be widening. The broadcaster Haberturk, citing judicial sources, reported that clubs and players are also under investigation. The report put the number of players under investigation at 3,700.
