Galatasaray stars among 102 players banned by Turkish FA in betting probe

Galatasaray stars among 102 players banned by Turkish FA in betting probe

The Turkish football federation (TFF) has banned 102 players from the countrys top two divisions as part of a probe into alleged betting on football matches.

The Athletic report that the list of suspended footballers includes 25 players from the Super Lig, including two Galatasaray stars Eren Elmali and Metehan Baltaci.

Elmali, who has been a regular starter for Gala since joining the club in February, has been handed a 45-day ban.

The 25-year-old was initially part of Turkeys squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Spain and Bulgaria this month, but he has been dropped due to his involvement in the case.

Elmalis team-mate Metehan Baltaci has been given a ninth-month ban, while Celil Yuksel has been suspended for 45 days.

Yuksel progressed through Galatasarays academy but currently plays for Samsunpor, who compete in the Super Lig.

The TFF announced on Monday that they have suspended 1,024 players as part of a betting investigation.

The governing body confirmed that these players have been referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK).

The scandal broke out after the TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu announced last month that an internal audit had revealed that 371 of the 571 active referees in Turkey held online betting accounts.

Of these, 152 were found to have placed bets on more than 1,000 games each.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the football community and prompted the TFF to suspend 149 referees.

Sports betting is legal in Turkey, but it is strictly prohibited for referees under both FIFA and UEFA codes. Even registering a betting account for an official constitutes a breach of integrity.

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