Turkish Football Scandal: Over 1,000 Players Suspended in Widening Betting Probe

In a major blow to Turkish football, the Turkish Football Federation has suspended over 1,000 players in a widening betting scandal. The list includes Eren Elmali, a national team defender who has been a regular for Galatasaray in the Champions League this season.

Elmali has published a statement explaining that he bet on a game about five years ago, though it did not involve his own team. He and his Galatasaray teammate Metehan Baltaci are among the 1,024 players referred to a disciplinary commission by the federation.

The scandal has rocked Turkish football, with investigations into alleged widespread betting by referees and players. More than 150 referees are said to have bet on games, including some approved to handle top-level matches. The president of a top-tier club and the former owner of another have also been implicated.

In response, the federation has shut down the third and fourth-tier divisions for two weeks, though games in the Super League, led by defending champion Galatasaray, and the second tier will continue. The federation's president has vowed to "elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to purge it of all its filth."

Despite the scandal, Turkish football has enjoyed a revival in recent years, with the country set to co-host the 2032 European Championship and Istanbul selected to stage several finals in European club competitions.