18 Detained in Turkey Over Referees’ Football Betting Scandal

Turkish authorities have detained 18 people as part of an investigation into referees suspected of betting on football matches, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday.

According to the statement, 21 arrest warrants were issued — including for 17 referees and the president of a first-division club — as investigators probe alleged match-fixing and abuse of power within Turkish football.

The scandal follows last week’s decision by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to suspend 149 referees for betting in violation of federation rules. The suspensions range from eight to 12 months, though officials have not said whether any referees wagered on matches they officiated.

Wider Probe Reveals Alarming Pattern

A separate internal review by the TFF last month found that 152 referees, including 22 from the top flight, had “actively placed bets” on football games — part of a larger audit covering 571 referees across professional leagues.

The accused referees have rejected the claims, calling them “outrageous accusations.” In a joint statement released Wednesday, they maintained that none of them ever bet on matches they oversaw, adding that some of their betting activity occurred before turning professional.

Concerns Over Integrity of Turkish Football

The controversy has further fueled criticism over officiating standards in Turkey. In September, Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu slammed the level of refereeing following Trabzonspor’s 1–0 loss to Fenerbahçe, warning that “the credibility of the league is at stake.”

The investigation continues as Turkish football faces growing pressure to restore public trust in the integrity of the sport.