Hacıosmanoğlu makes striking statement on betting investigation: Criticizes deputy chief prosecutor

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, discussions regarding a betting scandal in the football community are heavily occupying the agenda. Participating in a live broadcast on TRT Spor, Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu objected to the statement made by the Istanbul Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor, who had said, "There is a World Cup, the leagues are about to end. Operations will accelerate at the end of the leagues."

While the Deputy Chief Prosecutor's words caused widespread reaction in the public, the TFF President spoke officially for the first time. Hacıosmanoğlu emphasized that the process has been followed meticulously since the period when Interior Minister Adil Gürlek moved to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, stating, "We are continuing with the same work discipline. Our new Chief Prosecutor was also the Minister's deputy. Our deputy chief prosecutor made an unfortunate statement; they will correct it. We are not sitting on documents just because we are waiting for the World Cup."

"ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH DIRTY PEOPLE?"

Providing information on the course of the investigations, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said, "We have prepared all our files, from players to agents, from coaches to masseurs. We are waiting for the file information regarding executives and presidents to be completed. There are nearly 5 thousand names. Once the names arrive, we will make our official application to Spor Toto and files will be requested from betting companies. Our colleagues are working with great care. If we have documents in hand, why should we wait? Are we going to participate in the World Cup with dirty people?"

President Hacıosmanoğlu also underlined that there is no situation such as slowing down or postponing the process. Stating that the authorities are acting quickly on every document that reaches them, Hacıosmanoğlu explained that it is out of the question for the World Cup or any other organization to slow down the investigations.

HOW WILL THE PROCESS WORK?

Information about the investigation phase was also provided during the broadcast on TRT Spor. According to the information obtained, the files of many names, especially players, agents, club doctors, and coaches, are ready. File research regarding executives is also nearing completion. Hacıosmanoğlu announced that after the names are collected next week, an official application will be made to Spor Toto and the necessary documents will be requested from betting companies. Saying "Everything is clear," the TFF President stated that the requirements of justice will be fulfilled meticulously.

News Source: 12punto