22.07.2026 10:30
A critical stage has been reached in the betting scandal shaking Turkish football. The list containing approximately 19,000 people has been submitted to the TFF. Severe sanctions such as relegation, point deductions, and revocation of championship trophies are on the agenda for clubs whose presidents and managers have been found to have placed bets.
A critical stage has been reached in the betting scandal shaking Turkish football. The list, which includes approximately 19,000 people, has been submitted to the TFF. Heavy sanctions are on the agenda for presidents and managers found to have placed bets: clubs could be relegated, points could be deducted, and the championship trophy could be taken back.
THE MOST CRITICAL POINT OF THE BETTING INVESTIGATION
According to a column by Turkish newspaper writer Tahir Kum, the TFF's betting investigation began with referees in October 2025 and later expanded to include players, technical staff, agents, and other stakeholders. The process has now reached its most critical point.
NAMES WHO PLACED BETS REPORTED TO TFF
On May 4, 2026, the TFF sent the list of names (with Turkish ID numbers) of approximately 14,000 presidents and managers who served in professional leagues over the past five years to the Spor Toto Organization. As a result of the investigations, the names found to have violated betting rules have been reported to the TFF.
6 PERSONNEL SPECIALLY ASSIGNED
The work, for which 4 personnel from the legal department and 2 from the IT department have been specially assigned at the TFF, is being conducted with great sensitivity against the risk of leaks. The studies are expected to be completed in the first week of August. Authorities will examine one by one the period during which the betting managers were in office, whether bets were placed on their own clubs' matches, and bets in other branches. The legal unit will not provide details to the TFF President and management until the review is complete.
WHAT WILL THE PENALTIES BE?
Once the review is complete, presidents and managers found to have placed bets during their tenure will be referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) under Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction (FDT). Even if they left office five years ago, disciplinary sanctions will be applied.
RELEGATION AND 12-POINT DEDUCTION PENALTIES MAY BE ON THE AGENDA
The most critical violation is placing bets on their own clubs' matches (betting on the opponent's win or over/under). These individuals will also be referred under Article 56 of the FDT on charges of "Match-Fixing and Incentive Premium" (influencing match results). This finding will also leave clubs facing severe penalties. Depending on the severity of the action, relegation or a minimum 12-point deduction penalty may come to the agenda.
RISK OF THE TROPHY BEING TAKEN BACK
Pursuant to paragraph 4 of Article 26 of the Football Competition Instruction, even if five years have passed since the incident and the league has been registered, it is possible to cancel the previous registration. Thus, scenarios such as the championship trophy being taken back could come into play.
1.5 MILLION DOLLAR BET ALLEGATION
The allegation, which emerged during betting operations, that an unnamed Süper Lig club president placed bets worth 1-1.5 million dollars will also be clarified by this review. According to the claim, besides this person, who is allegedly the president of a major club, it is also rumored that there are 1-2 individuals in the current TFF administration who placed bets in past years. Meanwhile, the 19 managers taken into custody in the recent operation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office will also be referred to the PFDK by the TFF. These referrals will be made in the same process as the other managers.