Joint statement from 152 referees named in betting scandal: 'We are the most innocent and defenseless party'

The 152 referees named in the betting investigation have issued a joint statement.

The statement included the following expressions:

"This statement has become necessary following recent reports in the public domain claiming that 'referees are ACTIVELY betting.' First and foremost, in an environment filled with such misinformation, we are observing with sadness how the institution we have served for years has left us so alone and helpless, throwing us before the public and allowing ugly labels to be attached to us.

“WE DID NOT BET”

As 152 football referees who have served within the Turkish Football Federation, we present to the public that we have not been 'ACTIVELY' betting as alleged, and that none of these 152 individuals have ever placed bets on matches we have officiated.

“IT DISREGARDS OUR EFFORTS”

The situations mentioned are individual and past events that occurred for many of us 4-5 years ago during our amateur refereeing periods, before we were part of the professional structure of football. Despite this, reflecting them to the public today as 'referees who are actively betting' both distorts the truth and disregards our efforts.

“WE ARE THE MOST INNOCENT AND DEFENSELESS PARTY”

If an action is being carried out under the name of a 'Clean Hands' operation in Turkish football, we state that because we are the most innocent and defenseless party in this operation, we were, so to speak, the first to be targeted for sacrifice, and that the federation has disregarded us without cause. We hope that this action carried out under the name of a 'Clean Hands' operation proceeds properly and based on accurate data, revealing who the real culprits are and who is innocent. Because we are concerned that this issue will leave a massive wreckage behind, and that if the full truth comes out, many football stakeholders will be harmed and many people in the lower and upper leagues will no longer be able to serve, we fear this action might be covered up. Our greatest expectation is that every stakeholder within the federation be subjected to the necessary investigation. We would like to state that we will follow this matter to the end.

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK OUR RIGHTS”

We are people who have served Turkish football for many years and have officiated thousands of matches with the principles of impartiality, justice, and honesty. Each of us is a person deeply committed to this profession, having shown great sacrifices to uphold the sense of justice on the pitch. Our expectation from the public is that they do not give credence to untrue and incomplete information, that they do not pass judgment before the process is complete, and that the efforts, character, and sense of justice of people who have struggled with their sweat in football for years are not ignored. We will continue to seek our rights through all legal and ethical channels; we will continue to trust in the justice, conscience, and common sense of the public regarding football."

News Source: 12punto