31.10.2025 22:01
The President of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, made statements during a live broadcast regarding the betting scandal. Hacıosmanoğlu, who revealed that many players, in addition to active referees, were involved in betting, said, "I was really saddened when the figures came to light. We will do what is necessary. We started with the referees, and now it's time for the players. 3,700 people are being investigated."
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Turkish Football Federation President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu made statements live on CNN Türk regarding the betting scandal that shook the agenda.
'THEY WILL BE DISMISSED!'
Speaking about the penalty of deprivation of rights given to referees who placed bets, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said, "After I became the federation president, I set aside my anger. We are managing this place as the leader of the football family. I am of course sad; our noble nation deserves better. After receiving a 45-day deprivation of rights, their refereeing ends. Since it is not finalized yet, there is an Appeals process. After it is finalized from the Appeals, the referees will also be dismissed from their duties."
'BETTING WAS PLACED BY BOTH SIDES ON THE MATCH!'
Expressing that bets were placed by both sides on the Ankaraspor-Nazilli match played in the lower leagues, Hacıosmanoğlu stated, "A comprehensive investigation was conducted in April. The score of the Ankaraspor - Nazilli match was beneficial for both teams. We wanted our friends to urgently get to work on this. Bets were placed on the match by both sides. A penalty was given from our side at the upper limit. Then I told my friends to genuinely start this investigation. We were expecting 15 referees, but I was of course saddened when these numbers came out."
'APPROXIMATELY 3 THOUSAND 700 PLAYERS ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION'
Hacıosmanoğlu reported that after the referees, the accounts of the players are also being examined, saying, "When the numbers came out, I was really saddened. Whatever is necessary, we will do it. We started with the referees, now it's the players' turn. 3,700 people are being investigated."
'OPENING A BETTING ACCOUNT IS NOT A CRIME'
İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu stated that opening a betting account is not a crime, but placing bets is a crime, saying, "Opening a betting account is not a crime; they follow the matches from there. No one should put them under suspicion. It is a crime to actively use that account and place bets. Our boards are already giving the necessary penalties."
'THEY WILL INVESTIGATE IN DEPTH!'
Continuing his words, Hacıosmanoğlu said, "From now on, there is a penalty aspect. The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made a statement; they will investigate more deeply. They can look at the MASAK reports. They will also look at the illegal aspect. There have been such isolated incidents before, but they were covered up. You can enact laws, but applying them is important. Referees may have acted with a confidence that these matters would not come to light. We are not dealing with flies; our goal is to dry up the swamp. Distorted relationships have emerged. It is not an operation in favor of any person or club. Everyone is trying to derive something for themselves. We will not allow such a sacred struggle to be turned to personal gain."
'WE HAVE ENOUGH REFEREES TO MANAGE THE LEAGUES'
Stating that the issue of foreign referees is not on the agenda, the TFF President said, "We must leave a clean Turkish football for the young children of our noble nation. This is the operation for that. They say foreign referees should come; no. We have our brothers. We currently have enough referees to manage the leagues. Let this be a milestone. The football family must sincerely embrace this from now on. I implore this."
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