06.11.2025 01:09
A total of 152 referees who were referred to the PFDK on the grounds of betting made a joint statement. In the statement, it was said, "As 152 Football Referees who have served under the TFF, we declare to the public that we have not placed any bets as 'ACTIVE' as stated in the allegations, and that none of us among these 152 individuals have ever placed bets on the matches we officiated."
A joint statement was published by 152 referees who were referred to the PFDK (Professional Football Disciplinary Committee) on the grounds of having placed bets in Turkey.
'WE DID NOT BET!'
In the statement, it was said, "As 152 football referees, we would like to inform you that we did not place bets 'actively' as stated in the allegations, and none of us among these 152 individuals have ever placed bets in the matches we officiated."
Here is the statement made;
Recently, it has become necessary to make this statement due to news reflecting that "Referees are BETTING ACTIVELY."
Firstly, in an environment where there is so much misinformation, we are saddened to see the institution we have served for years throw us in front of society in such a lonely and helpless manner, and we are following the ugly accusations made against us in the public with sorrow.
As 152 Football Referees who have served under the Turkish Football Federation, we would like to inform the public that we did not place bets "ACTIVELY" as stated in the allegations, and none of us among these 152 individuals have ever placed bets in the matches we officiated.
The situations mentioned are individual and past events from 4-5 years ago during our amateur refereeing periods, before we were part of the professional structure of football. Nevertheless, the portrayal of us today as "referees who actively bet" distorts the truth and disregards our efforts. If an action is being carried out under the name of the "Clean Hands" operation in Turkish football, we express that we are the most innocent and helpless side of this operation, and it seems that the federation has unjustly disregarded us. We hope that this action carried out under the name of the "Clean Hands" operation proceeds entirely based on merit and accurate data, revealing who the real guilty and innocent parties are. Because we believe this issue will leave a huge wreckage behind, and if the truths come to light, many sports stakeholders will be harmed, and we are concerned that many individuals in both lower and upper leagues will no longer be able to serve. Our greatest expectation is that every stakeholder within the federation is subjected to the necessary scrutiny. We would like to state that we will follow this issue to the end.
We are individuals who have served Turkish football for many years, officiating thousands of matches with the principles of impartiality, justice, and honesty. Each of us is deeply committed to this profession and has made great sacrifices to uphold the sense of justice on the field.
Our expectation from the public is that they do not give credence to false and incomplete information, that no judgment is made before the process is completed, and that the efforts, character, and sense of justice of those who have fought with sweat in football for years are not overlooked. We will continue to seek our rights through all legal and ethical means; we will trust in the justice of football, its conscience, and the public's common sense. With our respects.'