Criminal Probe Launched in TFF Referee Betting Scandal

The Turkish Football Federation says a five-year internal audit found 371 of 571 professional referees held betting accounts and 152 actively placed bets, including seven Süper Lig referees and 15 top assistants. Investigators reported extreme wagering by some officials — one referee placed 18,227 bets, 10 placed more than 10,000 bets each, and 42 placed over 1,000 apiece. The TFF has referred 152 referees to its Professional Football Disciplinary Board and opened disciplinary proceedings. Istanbul prosecutors, police and financial-crimes investigators have launched a criminal probe that could lead to suspensions, fines, bans and possible prison terms under Turkish law. The federation has shared its findings with FIFA and UEFA, vowed strict sanctions to restore integrity, and major clubs have demanded transparency as the scandal threatens a major overhaul of officiating.