In Istanbul, where the season’s title race is watched far beyond the Bosphorus, Turkish football has been pulled deeper into an investigation over illegal betting. The Turkish Football Federation has sent 448 club officials to its Professional Football Disciplinary Committee after finding they had placed bets while holding executive roles during the past five years.
Quick facts
- 448 current and former club executives have been referred for disciplinary action.
- The officials served at clubs competing in Turkey’s top division in the 2026-27 season.
- The list includes the Trabzonspor president, a Beşiktaş vice-president, current and former Galatasaray officials, and three former Fenerbahçe executives.
- The announcement came two days after the detention of the head of Turkish refereeing and six other suspects.
- Turkey suspended 149 referees a year ago amid separate betting-related suspicions.
The federation’s published list reaches across the leading clubs of the Süper Lig, including figures from Trabzonspor, Beşiktaş, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. It said the individuals had carried out management duties at top-flight sides and had been found to have bet during their time in office.
The disciplinary referrals were announced 48 hours after a police operation led to the arrest of the official in charge of Turkish refereeing, along with six others. The federation did not formally connect the executives’ betting case with those detentions.
Its statement did, however, refer to the punishment handed to 149 referees last year, when they were suspended amid allegations linked to betting. The latest action widens scrutiny from match officials to the boardrooms of Turkey’s biggest clubs.
Earlier in the week, the police raid had targeted senior figures within the refereeing structure. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek said the inquiry concerned possible interference in referee ranking systems, match appointments, evaluation and promotion procedures, and rules-knowledge examinations.
Turkish media reports said those detained were also under suspicion of document forgery and systematic intimidation. Gürlek said authorities would pursue a clean game and seek clarity over allegations that had damaged confidence in Turkish football, adding that those responsible should face justice.
