Turkey to summon 600 soccer players, coaches and club executives for questioning in case of accounts on betting sites
Turkish media is reporting that police cause to question around 600 professional footballers, coaches and club managers next week as part of an investigation into illegal iGaming activities. They are suspected of having accounts and betting through illegal online operators from Albania, Bulgaria and Northern Cyprus. Authorities have already issued arrest warrants for 21 people: 17 referees, the president of Super League club Eyüpspor Murat Ozkaya and former owner of Super League club Kasımpaşa Turgay Ciner. Interpol was also involved in the case.
Prosecutors reclassified the case as a match-fixing investigation, citing «influence on the result of the game» in the charge. If proven guilty, the club leaders could face expulsion from the league and a lifetime disqualification for the referees. 45 officials of the Football Federation (TFF) have already resigned.
According to TFF rules, clubs with proven match-fixing will face relegation or the removal of 12 points.