The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor\u2019s Office announced on Friday that 21 people were targeted in a sweeping investigation into illegal football betting, including 17 referees and the chairman of a top-flight club.<\/p>\n
Eighteen suspects have already been detained, according to state news agency Anadolu Ajans\u0131.<\/p>\n
The probe follows the Turkish Football Federation (TFF)\u2019s suspension of 149 referees and assistant referees last week after internal findings revealed that several officials were betting on football matches \u2014 some on games they themselves officiated.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors said the detained referees face charges of \u201cabuse of duty\u201d and \u201cmanipulating match results\u201d.<\/p>\n
In addition, the president of a Super Lig club, a former club owner, and a former association head were arrested for alleged match-fixing.<\/p>\n
One other suspect was charged with spreading misleading information on social media as part of the multi-city operation.<\/p>\n
In a separate investigation, the TFF\u2019s disciplinary board imposed bans of eight to twelve months on 149 referees and assistants involved in betting activities.<\/p>\n
TFF President \u0130brahim Hac\u0131osmano\u011flu called the situation a \u201cmoral crisis in Turkish football.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the TFF\u2019s findings, 371 of the 571 active referees in professional leagues held betting accounts, and 152 were actively gambling.<\/p>\n
One referee allegedly placed 18,227 bets, while 42 others bet on more than 1,000 football matches each.<\/p>\n
The investigation has triggered what officials describe as one of the largest integrity crises in Turkish football history.<\/p>\n
Authorities indicated that the probe could widen to include club executives, players, and betting operators, as efforts continue to clean up the sport\u2019s image.
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