The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has referred 448 club officials to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) following an investigation into sports betting. The disciplinary actions target individuals who served as administrators in Süper Lig and TFF 1. Lig clubs over the past five years and allegedly placed bets during their tenures, according to announcements made by the governing body.
Disciplinary Action Under Article 57
The TFF announced that the 448 individuals face provisional disciplinary measures starting September 30, 2026. The federation initiated these referrals pursuant to Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction. The sweeping inquiry covers officials associated with top-tier and second-tier Turkish professional clubs who held administrative roles within the last five years.
Impact on the Four Major Clubs
The disciplinary list includes high-ranking administrators from Turkey’s four major clubs: Trabzonspor, Beşiktaş, Galatasaray, and Fenerbahçe. Among them, Trabzonspor accounts for the highest number of referrals with 13 individuals facing the PFDK, including club president Ertuğrul Doğan. Beşiktaş follows with 10 officials on the list, including second president Hakan Daltaban. Galatasaray has five officials named in the filings, while Fenerbahçe accounts for three.
Trabzonspor President Ertuğrul Doğan addressed his referral in a televised appearance on A Spor, acknowledging that he previously held a betting account that has since been closed. Doğan stated that the accounts were opened years ago before these regulatory restrictions became a prominent issue and noted that betting companies previously served as league and club sponsors. He maintained that no malicious intent existed and confirmed that he and his colleagues would submit formal defenses to the disciplinary board.
Fatih Karagümrük Clarification
Fatih Karagümrük released a public statement addressing names linked to the club within the 448-person TFF list. The club clarified that the individuals in question hold no direct or indirect relationship with the Fatih Karagümrük Sportif A.Ş. management. According to the club’s announcement, the named persons are instead affiliated with the Karagümrük Association and Supporters Association, entities that do not engage in official sporting activities.
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