Turkish Football Federation faces resignations amid betting probe

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is facing internal instability following a massive betting investigation. The TFF Legal Counsel referred 448 officials, who served in the Süper Lig and TFF 1. Lig over the last five years, to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) on grounds of betting.

This move has triggered a wave of resignations within the federation. TFF Board Member Ural Aküzüm resigned, followed by several reserve members and heads of various committees, including the Foreign Relations Board and the Amateur Affairs Board. Despite these departures, legal experts note that the TFF statutes do not mandate an automatic election or the dissolution of the board simply because a certain number of members resign.

Concurrently, reports indicate tension between the TFF and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor's Office had reportedly warned the TFF in writing to coordinate disciplinary actions with the ongoing judicial investigation to prevent the destruction of evidence or the flight of suspects. However, the TFF proceeded with the referrals without prior coordination. In a related development, Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol and assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel have been taken into custody as part of the broader investigation.