Interpol steps in: Nearly 600 footballers to be summoned for questioning in betting scandal
The illegal betting scandal in Turkish football is growing. It is reported that nearly 600 footballers will be summoned for questioning next week, and the case has now gained an international dimension.
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As the investigation into illegal betting in Turkish football continues to expand, it has been stated that the second wave has now reached club presidents. It has been learned that the units conducting the investigation are preparing to summon nearly 600 footballers for questioning next week.
In the case, which is also being monitored by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), information transmitted to Turkish law enforcement suggests that some footballers, coaches, and executives have been conducting transactions through illegal betting platforms in Albania, Bulgaria, and Northern Cyprus.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu announced at a press conference in Riva on Monday, October 27, that findings had been made regarding referees engaging in illegal betting.
In his statement, Hacıosmanoğlu shared the following information:
"It has been determined that 371 out of 571 active referees in professional leagues have betting accounts, and 152 of them have been actively betting. There are 7 top-class referees, 15 top-class assistant referees, 36 classified referees, and 94 classified assistant referees involved."
Following these statements, the individuals in question were referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK).
The TFF Legal Consultancy referred 152 referees to the PFDK on Tuesday, October 28, on the grounds of illegal betting activities. The PFDK announced its decision regarding the files that caused a major shock in the football community during its meeting on October 31.
Within the scope of the investigation, 149 of the 152 referees were given bans from football activities ranging from 8 to 12 months. If the Arbitration Board upholds these penalties, the careers of many referees will effectively come to an end.