At least eighteen people have been detained in Turkey as part of a widening investigation into allegations of match fixing and illegal betting involving football referees, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office announced on Friday.
According to the statement, warrants have been issued for twenty-one individuals, including seventeen referees and the president of a first division club. While officials did not disclose how many referees are among those being questioned, the probe reportedly centres on suspicions of abuse of power and manipulation of match outcomes.
The development follows a decision by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) last week to suspend 149 referees for allegedly engaging in betting activities, in breach of strict professional conduct rules. The suspensions range from eight to twelve months, though the federation has not confirmed whether any of the suspended referees placed bets on matches they officiated.
A separate inquiry conducted last month by the TFF into 571 referees from professional leagues revealed that 152 of them — including 22 officiating in the top-tier Turkish Super League — had “actively bet” on football games. In response, the referees issued a joint statement rejecting what they described as “outrageous accusations,” insisting that none had ever wagered on matches they presided over. Some claimed their betting records dated back to when they were still amateur referees.
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The scandal comes amid heightened scrutiny of officiating standards in Turkish football. Earlier in September, Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu publicly criticised what he termed “poor officiating” following Trabzonspor’s controversial 1–0 loss to Fenerbahçe in Kadıköy, warning that the credibility of the league was “at stake.”
As investigations continue, Turkish authorities have pledged to ensure accountability and transparency within the sport, which has faced increasing pressure to restore public trust and integrity.