27.10.2025 14:16
The president of the Turkish Football Federation, İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, announced that a large number of professional referees have betting accounts. It has become a matter of curiosity what penalties the referees who engage in betting will face. Here is the penalty for betting according to the Football Disciplinary Regulations...
The President of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, brought a major scandal to the agenda of Turkish football by revealing that a large number of professional referees have betting accounts. Hacıosmanoğlu shared that out of 571 referees working in professional leagues, 371 have betting accounts, and 152 are actively betting.
"THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD WILL IMPOSE NECESSARY PENALTIES"
TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu stated at a press conference held at the TFF Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities in Riva, "I would like to emphasize that the disciplinary board will take the necessary actions for these referees. We will refer them to the disciplinary board shortly, and they will receive the necessary penalties according to our regulations," he said.
WHAT DOES THE FOOTBALL DISCIPLINARY REGULATION SAY?
Following Hacıosmanoğlu's statements, the question of how much penalty the referees who bet will receive came to the fore. Article 57 of the TFF's Football Disciplinary Regulation clearly states the prohibitions and penalties related to betting and similar games of chance.
ARTICLE 57 – BETTING
(1) It is prohibited for individuals covered by this Regulation;
a) To play bets or similar games of chance, directly or indirectly, on football matches and/or any activity related to football.
b) To take part in or benefit from businesses that promote, mediate, organize, or conduct bets or similar games of chance related to football matches (excluding public institutions and organizations) directly or indirectly.
(2) Individuals acting contrary to this will be punished with a ban from competitions for three months to one year or a deprivation of rights penalty.
PENALTY PROCESS BEGINS
According to TFF President Hacıosmanoğlu's statement, the referees in question will be referred to the Disciplinary Board shortly. As a result of the board's investigations, it is expected that penalties ranging from 3 months to 1 year of suspension will be imposed on the referees in accordance with Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Regulation.