Over 1,000 Turkish footballers suspended in nationwide betting probe

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended more than 1,000 players across the country’s professional leagues for breaching regulations by betting on football matches.

On Monday, the TFF confirmed that 1,024 players had been suspended as part of an ongoing investigation, including footballers from top clubs such as Galatasaray, Beşiktaş, and Trabzonspor, as per an iGB report. All players have been referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) for further action.

Among the most high-profile names is Turkish international Eren Elmali of Galatasaray, who currently leads the Süper Lig. Following the publication of the suspension list, Elmali was withdrawn from the national team squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Bulgaria.

Elmali addressed the matter on social media, claiming that his inclusion relates to a single bet made five years ago and denying involvement in any further betting activities.

“I want to make clear that my name is included in this file because of a betting transaction I made about five years ago involving someone other than my own team,” Elmali said on Instagram. “Since then, I have neither placed a bet nor had any connection to this matter.”

To mitigate disruption for clubs, the TFF has secured a 15-day transfer and registration window in coordination with FIFA, allowing teams to sign new players outside the traditional transfer period.

Additionally, all matches in the TFF 2. Lig and TFF 3. Lig have been suspended for two weeks. Top-tier Süper Lig and TFF 1. Lig matches will continue as scheduled.

“The TFF is continuing correspondence with official institutions, and the investigation will be expanded and continued based on these responses,” the TFF said.

Experts warn the probe could have long-term implications for Turkish football’s reputation and governance. Vahit Bıçak, founder of Bıçak Law Firm, told iGB that the scale of the suspensions suggests systemic weaknesses in integrity monitoring and enforcement.

“If the allegations prove accurate, this suggests that betting-related misconduct is not confined to isolated incidents but may indicate systemic weaknesses in integrity education, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms across the football pyramid,” Bıçak said.

He said that the investigation’s scale could erode public trust in fair competition and emphasized that stakeholders expect strong ethical oversight. “Hence, the PFDK’s proactive stance – although dramatic in scale – should also be viewed as a reaffirmation of Turkey’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the game,” Bıçak added.

TFF regulations allow for penalties ranging from suspensions and fines to long-term or permanent bans for players involved in betting. Serious breaches could also trigger criminal prosecution under Turkish Law No. 7258, potentially resulting in fines or imprisonment.

Experts believe the case could prompt a major overhaul of betting regulations in Turkey, introducing clearer oversight and reducing the appeal of unregulated markets. Authorities are also expected to expand education efforts in a bid to ensure future players understand the ethical and legal consequences of betting.