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Turkey Suspends 1,024 Players in Betting Probe as Court Orders 8 Arrests

The federation seeks a 15-day domestic transfer window to help clubs replace suspended players during a two-week pause in lower divisions.

Overview

  • All 1,024 players were referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Council, including 27 from the Super Lig, with Galatasaray’s Eren Elmali withdrawn from the national squad after saying he placed a single bet years ago.
  • Third- and fourth-division matches are on hold for two weeks, while fixtures in the Super Lig and second tier continue.
  • The crackdown follows earlier action against match officials, with 149 referees suspended after a TFF audit found 371 of 571 had betting accounts and one referee logged 18,227 wagers.
  • An Istanbul court ordered the arrest of eight suspects, including Eyupspor chairman Murat Ozkaya, as prosecutors pursue broader detention orders reported to cover around 21 people.
  • The TFF has asked FIFA for a national 15-day transfer and registration period to address squad shortages, and clubs such as Besiktas and Galatasaray say they support due process for named players.