Wide-ranging investigation by TFF: 3,700 footballers under scrutiny

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu announced that the betting investigation previously launched into referees has now been expanded to include footballers, with a total of 3,700 athletes currently under review.

In a statement to CNN Türk, Hacıosmanoğlu emphasized that this process is being conducted transparently.

Recalling the earlier process in which 152 referees were referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board for "betting," President Hacıosmanoğlu stated that referees who receive a ban of more than 45 days will have their contracts terminated. Noting that the penalties have not yet been finalized, Hacıosmanoğlu pointed out that the arbitration board process is ongoing.

According to the TFF President's statements, the betting investigation first came to the agenda during the 2023-24 season with the match between Sincan Belediyesi Ankaraspor and Nazilli Belediyespor. Hacıosmanoğlu reported that they determined the players on the field in this match, which benefited both teams, had engaged in betting, and that disciplinary penalties were issued regarding the matter. The President stated that following this situation, a more comprehensive investigation was launched together with the vice president responsible for legal affairs.

In the investigation covering footballers, the federation holds information on approximately 3,700 athletes. Hacıosmanoğlu announced that these names are being examined in detail and that referrals to the disciplinary board will begin shortly. He also stated that after the footballers, screenings will be conducted regarding club representatives, observers, and other members of the sports community.

EYES ON OTHER FOOTBALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THE INVESTIGATION

Emphasizing that the betting allegations are not limited to merely owning an account and that referees and footballers who actively bet are considered guilty, Hacıosmanoğlu stated that 152 out of 371 referees were found to have placed bets. It was noted that the majority of the matches bet on were from foreign leagues.

Highlighting that the process is continuing in cooperation with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and that institutions such as MASAK are also examining financial transactions, Hacıosmanoğlu stated that they are determined to ensure a clean Turkish football environment. The President said, "Actively using those accounts to place bets is a crime. Simply owning an account is not a sufficient reason on its own."

"THE CLEANUP IS FOR A TRUST ENVIRONMENT"

Hacıosmanoğlu stated, "This cleanup operation was carried out to ensure an environment of trust. Let them support our current referees; they will officiate fairer matches. Football fans should support this process for clean football and genuine competition, both in terms of referees, clubs, and players."

Stating that the referee staff is competent enough to get through the season without problems, the TFF President reiterated that the transfer of foreign referees is not on the agenda. He added that training in line with the referee development system continues in all provinces and that new-generation referees will be assigned by the end of the year.

FEMALE REFEREES ARE COMING TO THE SUPER LIG

TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu also announced that a female referee will officiate a match in the Super Lig in the second half of the season. Expressing his dream of having a female referee officiate a derby match during his tenure, he said, "Why not? We will see this in the second half."

The President also underlined that no referee will be granted privileges during the investigation process: "No matter who intervenes, no concessions will be made. Only those who are guilty will be punished; no one will be treated unfairly."

Stating that all identified problems will be addressed so that young people can grow up in a healthy football environment, Hacıosmanoğlu expressed that Turkish football fundamentally suffers from a moral problem and that this environment will be changed through the reforms to be implemented.

The outcome of this investigation, which was initiated by the TFF management and is constantly expanding in scope, will become clear in the coming days.

News Source: 12punto