30.10.2025 12:30
In the context of the betting scandal, top-tier referee Zorbay Küçük went to the courthouse today to file a criminal complaint. Küçük categorically denied the allegations made against him. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the referee has not been summoned for questioning and that the application is of a personal complaint nature.
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One of the referees referred to the PFDK by the Turkish Football Federation on the grounds of "betting" is Zorbay Küçük, who today went to the Istanbul Courthouse to file an official complaint.
"I DID NOT BET"
At the courthouse exit, Zorbay Küçük stated, "I came to file a complaint. As you know, it is forbidden for me to make unauthorized statements because I am a referee, but there is currently a very extraordinary situation. I hope that the institution I am affiliated with will understand this statement. Because it is both to protect the institution and to protect myself...
I sincerely say this; I have never been a member of any betting site, opened an account, or placed a bet, not only during my refereeing career but also before it. I have not placed bets on any sport, not just football.
We came here to reveal the truth. We have completed the necessary procedures. I would like to explain in much more detail, but I cannot due to my profession. This is all I can do. My lawyer friend will explain. I have filed a complaint about the accounts. These accounts were opened in my name with my Turkish Republic Identification Number," he said.
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE: NOT CALLED FOR TESTIMONY
Following news in the public that Zorbay Küçük was "called to give a statement," the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office issued a written statement.
The statement said, "The person named Zorbay Küçük, who serves as a referee in the TFF Trendyol Super League, has applied to file a complaint together with his personal lawyer. It is not the case that the mentioned person is called to give a statement within the scope of the investigation regarding the allegations of membership in betting sites," it stated.
The Turkish Football Federation's Legal Board had referred 152 referees to the Professional Football Discipline Board on the grounds that they had placed bets. Among the list were 7 top-class referees who officiated in Super League and 1st League matches. In addition to these names, 15 top-class assistant referees, 36 class referees, and 94 class assistant referees were referred to the PFDK.
WHAT HAPPENED?
After the statements made by the President of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, regarding the referees betting, an investigation was initiated. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that Hacıosmanoğlu's statements were accepted as a tip-off and that work had begun.
The Prosecutor's Office had stated that they started to obtain the last 5 years of MASAK reports, HTS records, subscription records of accessible domestic and foreign betting sites, and records regarding the betting activities on these sites, as well as witness statements related to the betting scandal.
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