Turkish football has been shaken by one of its biggest integrity scandals in recent decades after the Turkish Football Federation suspended 149 referees and assistant referees following an investigation into illegal betting.

The inquiry, launched earlier this year, revealed that hundreds of match officials across several divisions were registered with betting companies. Many had placed bets on football matches, including games within Turkiye’s professional leagues.

According to the TFF, 371 of the country’s 571 active referees held betting accounts. Investigators determined that 152 of them had placed bets, with one referee reportedly wagering on more than 18,000 matches over several years.

“The integrity of our sport is non-negotiable,” the federation said in a statement. “Any individual found to have violated the ethical principles governing Turkish football will face the full consequences of their actions.”

The suspended referees will appear before disciplinary panels, and penalties may range from eight months to permanent exclusion depending on the severity of the offences. Turkish authorities have also opened criminal investigations into possible violations of national gambling laws.

Although there is no confirmed evidence of match-fixing, the revelations have raised serious concerns about the credibility of officiating in Turkish football. Analysts warn that the scandal could erode public confidence in domestic competitions and damage the country’s standing within European football.

The TFF has informed FIFA and UEFA about the investigation and pledged to strengthen monitoring and compliance systems. Measures will include tighter oversight of referees’ financial activities and compulsory integrity training programmes.

Prosecutors are expected to release further details in the coming weeks as investigations continue into whether any matches were directly affected by betting-related manipulation.