07.01.2026 17:43
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced that 108 technical officials have been referred to the Professional Football Discipline Board as part of the betting investigation. Sercan Yıldırım's name is also included in this list. Sercan Yıldırım, a former football player who is currently preparing for a coaching career, stated that there is a name similarity and that he is not on the list announced by the TFF. Yıldırım mentioned that his phone has not stopped ringing since the decision was announced.
The referees who have served as technical responsible in professional leagues for the last 5 years and have been found to have placed bets during their tenure were announced as part of the betting investigation conducted by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). In a statement made on TFF's official website, it was expressed that 108 technical staff members were referred to the PFDK with precautionary measures as of 07.01.2026 in accordance with Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Regulation.
THE LIST ALSO INCLUDES THE NAME SERCAN YILDIRIM
One name on the list announced by TFF has caused concern for former football player Sercan Yıldırım. According to the announced list, a person named "Sercan Yıldırım" was referred to the PFDK for allegedly placing bets.
HE PERSONALLY ANNOUNCED: THIS IS NOT ME
Former football player Sercan Yıldırım, who is currently preparing for a coaching career, stated in an interview with Sports Digitale that the person whose name was announced is not him. The former player, who wore the jerseys of Bursaspor and Galatasaray, said, "I received my B license in September and I have not yet coached outside of my own team. This person is not me."
"MY PHONE DOES NOT STOP RINGING"
Yıldırım expressed that his phone has not stopped ringing since the moment the list was announced, saying, "The Sercan Yıldırım on the list announced by TFF is not me. Due to the similarity of names, my phone has been ringing for hours. This name is definitely not me," he concluded his remarks.