Archive · 14 Nov 2025
Turkish Football Federation Bans 102 Players Over Betting Scandal
Imagine a big soccer tournament.
Some players in Turkey got caught betting on soccer games, which is like cheating.
So, the people in charge of Turkish soccer decided to temporarily stop 102 players from playing.
These players can't play for a few months, up to a whole year.
Some players say they didn't know about the bets or that the bets weren't on games their own teams were playing.
The soccer leaders are also looking into many referees who had betting accounts and placed bets, sometimes thousands of times.
Because of this big investigation, some smaller soccer games had to be paused for a little while to make sure the games are fair.
The Turkish Football Federation has banned 102 players from the top two divisions for betting violations.
Bans range from three months to one year, with notable players like Eren Elmali and Metehan Baltaci affected.
The investigation revealed widespread betting among referees, with 371 having accounts and 152 actively betting.
Players like Eren Elmali claim their involvement was unknowing or not related to games they played.
The scandal led to the temporary suspension of 1,024 players and a two-week postponement of matches in the third and fourth divisions.
- Who
- The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and 102 players
- What
- 102 players have been banned for their involvement in betting-related activities, with sanctions ranging from three months to one year.
- When
- The bans were issued following an investigation that became public on October 27.
- Where
- Turkish professional football leagues
- Why
- Involvement in betting activities, which is prohibited and considered unethical in professional sports.
Turkish Football Federation's Stance
Players' Defense
Betting Involvement
Turkish Football Federation's Stance
The TFF has imposed bans on 102 players for involvement in betting activities, ranging from three months to one year, indicating a strict stance against rule violations.
Players' Defense
Players like Eren Elmali claim their names were implicated due to past, unknowing involvement or bets placed without their consent, asserting they have no current connection to betting.
Scope of Investigation
Turkish Football Federation's Stance
The TFF's investigation is extensive, having temporarily suspended 1,024 players and uncovering widespread betting activities among referees, with many having active accounts and placing numerous bets.
Players' Defense
While admitting to past betting, some players emphasize that their bets were not on games involving their own teams, suggesting a nuanced level of culpability.
- Number of Players Banned
- 102
- Banned Leagues
- Top two divisions of Turkish football
- Ban Durations
- 45 days to one year
- Total Players Suspended During Investigation
- 1,024
- Referees Investigated
- 371 with betting accounts, 152 actively betting out of 571 professional referees
- Impact on Lower Divisions
- Third and fourth division matches postponed for two weeks
