Turkish authorities arrest eight people in betting investigation apart from suspending 1024 players as well.
Turkish authorities arrest eight people and suspend 1,024 players in betting investigation.
Eight individuals, including a chairman of a prestigious club, were formally detained by Turkish authorities on Monday as part of an investigation into alleged football match betting. Additionally, 1,024 players have been suspended by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) until disciplinary investigations are conducted.
Earlier this month, the TFF dismissed 149 referees and assistant referees after an investigation revealed that officials in the nation’s professional leagues were placing bets on football games.
Murat Özkaya, the head of Eyupspor, and seven other people were ordered to be arrested as part of the inquiry, according to the state-owned Anadolu news agency in Turkey. The elite Turkish Super Lig team Eyupspor was not immediately available to remark.
As part of the inquiry, the TFF sent 1,024 players from all leagues to the Professional Football Disciplinary Council (PFDK), including 27 Super Lig players who have all been suspended, according to a statement. Players from Istanbul rivals Besiktas and winners Galatasaray were among those 27.
“Due to the precautionary transfer of 1,024 football players to the PFDK, negotiations have been initiated urgently with Fifa to grant a 15-day transfer and registration period in addition to the 2025-2026 winter transfer period, only at the national level, in order for clubs to complete their squad deficiencies,” the TFF said.