27.10.2025 16:12
The President of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, announced that it has been determined that some referees have betting accounts. In a statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was noted that the betting investigation began in April and would be further deepened following Hacıosmanoğlu's statements.
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The President of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, stated at a press conference that referees are involved in a betting scandal, saying, "Out of 571 active referees in professional leagues, 371 have betting accounts. 152 are actively betting."
STATEMENT FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
Following this shocking revelation that shook the football agenda, a statement also came from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor's Office announced that an investigation had been initiated a few months ago regarding referees who bet. In the statement, it was said, "An investigation has been launched regarding the allegation of betting involving some referees who officiated in football matches in April 2025."
Here is the statement made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office;
"The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is continuously and resolutely fighting against illegal betting games, which have become an economic and sociological wound in our society, and investigations regarding this matter are ongoing. Following the press statement made by TFF (Turkish Football Federation) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu on 27/10/2025, stating that '371 referees have betting accounts and 152 are actively betting,' it has become necessary to make a statement due to the judicial investigation process. An investigation has been initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegation of betting involving some referees who officiated in football matches in April 2025. While this investigation is ongoing, after news that another group of referees applied to the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an additional investigation process was initiated regarding the MHK (Referee Board). Due to the existing ongoing investigation, this new investigation in the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has been sent to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office with a decision of lack of jurisdiction, and both investigation files are being combined, and research is continuing under a single file.
THE INVESTIGATION WILL DEEPEN FURTHER
The statement made by TFF (Turkish Football Federation) President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu on 27/10/2025 regarding "referees with betting accounts" is also considered a tip-off regarding the ongoing investigation file; the identification of these referees will lead to charges of violating Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports, violating Law No. 7405 on Sports Clubs and Sports Federations, violating Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Betting and Gambling in Football and Other Sports Competitions, and other criminal allegations to be identified will further deepen the ongoing investigation.
İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu's statements are as follows;
"We started with our referee friends for clean and ethical Turkish football. It has been determined that out of our 500 active referees, 371 have betting accounts and 152 are actively betting. It has been found that a referee has placed over 18,000 bets alone, while some referees have officiated only a single match. They will be referred to the PFDK (Disciplinary Board) shortly and will receive the necessary penalties."
"WE CONSIDER HACIOSMANOĞLU'S WORDS AS A TIP-OFF"
Following the statements of TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that an investigation had been initiated regarding the allegation of betting involving some referees who officiated in football matches in April 2025.
"THE INVESTIGATION WILL BE DEEPENED AND CONTINUE"
The Prosecutor's Office also provided information stating, "While this investigation is ongoing, after news that another group of referees applied to the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an additional investigation process was initiated regarding the MHK. Due to the existing ongoing investigation, this new investigation in the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has been sent to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office with a decision of lack of jurisdiction, and both investigation files are being combined, and research is continuing under a single file."
The Prosecutor's Office, which stated that the statement made by İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu regarding "referees with betting accounts" is also considered a tip-off regarding the ongoing investigation file, also included the following statements.
"With the identification of these referees, charges of violating Law No. 6222 on the Prevention of Violence and Disorder in Sports, violating Law No. 7405 on Sports Clubs and Sports Federations, violating Law No. 7258 on the Regulation of Betting and Gambling in Football and Other Sports Competitions, and other criminal allegations to be identified will further deepen the ongoing investigation."
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