He said a bet was placed in Cyprus for the Göztepe match: Investigation launched following Özgür Özel's remarks

Following statements made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at a rally he held in Esenyurt, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has taken a significant step. An investigation was launched after Özel brought up allegations that a 5.5 million [currency unit] bet was placed from Northern Cyprus regarding a red card issued in the Göztepe match.

STATEMENT FROM THE ISTANBUL CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

In a statement issued by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated, "Following the allegations made by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the Esenyurt rally that 'someone from Northern Cyprus placed a 5.5 million [currency unit] bet on a red card in the match of the referee who gave an unfair red card to Göztepe in Izmir,' an ex officio investigation has been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to research the mentioned incident and individuals."

STATEMENT FROM THE TFF REGARDING REFEREES WHO PLACE BETS

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) had previously issued a statement regarding referees with betting accounts, announcing that 152 referees had been referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) on the grounds that they had placed bets. This development drew even more attention following Özel's remarks.

WHAT DID ÖZGÜR ÖZEL SAY?

In his speech in Esenyurt on October 30, Özgür Özel had criticized corruption and lack of oversight regarding referees. Özel stated, "There are 571 referees in Turkey. You have been managing this for 23 years. If a referee was 14 when you came to power, they are 37 now and can no longer manage matches. This entire system was established during your term. 371 of the 571 referees turned out to be gamblers, and 152 of them have actively placed bets."

THE GÖZTEPE MATCH AND THE CYPRUS BETTING ALLEGATION

Claiming that a person from Northern Cyprus placed a 5.5 million [currency unit] bet following the red card issued against Göztepe in Izmir, Özel had stated, "The referee who gave an unfair red card to Göztepe in Izmir, someone from Northern Cyprus placed a 5.5 million [currency unit] bet on a red card on the same day." These allegations led the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to launch an investigation.

"THE SALT HAS ROTTED, MORALITY HAS ENDED IN THE COUNTRY"

In his speech, Özel harshly criticized the government and the ruling power, stating, "The salt has rotted, morality has ended in the country, and the man who governs does not take responsibility for these. It is not enough to go after these. This nation will cross you out in this election, end this filth, and start a clean Turkey."

News Source: 12punto