More than 100 footballers from Turkey’s top divisions banned in betting scandal

Turkish football authorities have banned 102 top-tier players over a widening betting scandal.

The Turkish Football Federation suspended 25 players from the Super Lig and 77 from the first division for terms ranging from 45 days to one year.

Galatasaray and Turkey defender Eren Elmali was suspended for 45 days. Club teammate and Turkey Under-21 centre back Metehan Baltaci was banned for nine months.

Elmali posted on Instagram this week that he bet on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team. He joined Galatasaray this year.

Baltaci also admitted past bets but insisted they were not games he played in.

“Years ago I placed a bet at a time when I couldn’t fully grasp the seriousness of the matter,” he said. “I want to make it clear that this action had nothing to do with matches played by the teams I represented.”

The bans apply to matches but the players can continue training, Haberturk television reported.

More than 1,000 players have been referred to the federation’s Professional Football Disciplinary Board in the ongoing investigation.

The federation has shut down the third and fourth-tier divisions for two weeks but allowed the Super Lig — led by defending champions Galatasaray — and second tier to continue.

Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu vowed this week to cleanse Turkish football of corruption, scandal and unethical practices.

“We took office 16 months ago with a promise to elevate Turkish football to the level it deserves,” he said. “We will not compromise in our fight to protect Turkish football from scandal, decay and corrupt relationships.”

Turkish football has been rocked by investigations into alleged widespread betting by referees and players on games, which is prohibited by Fifa.

More than 150 referees are alleged to have bet on games, including seven who are approved to handle top-level games and 15 top-level assistants.

The scandal is a setback to Turkish football’s revival in recent years.

The country will co-host the men’s 2032 European Championship with Italy, the national team reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, and Istanbul has been picked by Uefa to stage several finals in European club competitions.