More than a thousand players have been suspended by the Turkish Football Association over a widening gambling scandal, including defender Eren Elmali, who has played regularly in the Champions League for Galatasaray this season.
Elmali published a statement late on Monday explaining his involvement in the case after he was withdrawn from Turkey’s squad preparing to play World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Bulgaria.
25-year-old Elmali posted on Instagram that about five years ago he gambled on a match that did not involve his own team. This year he joined Galatasaray.
Elmali and his Galatasaray teammate Metehan Baltaci are among 1,024 players on a list published by the Turkish federation on Monday who have been referred to a disciplinary committee.
The federation said the third and fourth tier divisions will be closed for two weeks, but matches in the Super League – led by defending champions Galatasaray – and the second tier will go ahead.
Turkish football has been rocked by investigations into alleged widespread betting by referees and now players on matches, which has been banned by FIFA.
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More than 150 referees are said to have bet on matches, including seven approved to handle matches at the highest level and 15 top-level assistants.
The president of top club Eyupspor and the former owner of Kasimpasa have been involved and questioned.
“It is our duty to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and cleanse it of all its filth,” federation resident Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu said at a press conference two weeks ago.
Turkish football has experienced a revival in recent years.
The country will host the 2032 Men’s European Championship together with Italy. The national team reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 and Istanbul has been chosen by UEFA to host several finals in European club competitions.
Published on November 11, 2025
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