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Turkish football has been thrown into a state of deep crisis after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) suspended 1,024 professional players in an unfolding betting and match-fixing scandal that has stunned the sport, Footynaija.com reports.
Among the clubs dragged into the chaos are Galatasaray, Besiktas, and Trabzonspor.
Galatasaray is home to Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen, the most high-profile player in the Turkish Super Lig and the country’s most expensive footballer.
Wilfred Ndidi‘s Besiktas has also been mentioned. Ndidi joined the Turkish giants this summer from Leicester City and has already been named vice-captain at the club.
Paul Onuachu’s Trabzonspor also have a player among those reportedly suspended.
While Osimhen himself has not been implicated, the situation surrounding his club has become increasingly uncomfortable. Two Galatasaray players, Eren Elmalı and Metehan Baltacı, are among those referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) over alleged betting violations, according to Intel Region.
Similar disciplinary referrals have reportedly been made against players from Besiktas and Trabzonspor, including Necip Uysal, Ersin Destanoğlu, Boran Başkan, and Salih Malkoçoğlu.
Osimhen, Ndidi and Onuachu have not been implicated whatsoever in the scandal.
The scandal has already led to the arrest of eight people, including a first-division club president. It followed months of investigations into illegal gambling rings allegedly involving players, referees, and club officials.
ESPN reports that prosecutors have detained 21 individuals, among them 17 referees and two club presidents, as the probe widens.
The TFF’s sweeping sanctions have led to major disruptions in the domestic calendar. With hundreds of players now unavailable, all third- and fourth-division fixtures have been postponed for two weeks due to player shortages. The Federation has also requested an additional 15 days for the winter transfer window to allow clubs to rebuild their depleted squads.
Seven referees and 15 assistants from the top two divisions were among those implicated.
For Galatasaray and Victor Osimhen, the developments come at an awkward moment.
The Nigerian forward, who joined the Istanbul giants permanently this summer from Napoli for €75 million after firing them to a third consecutive Super Lig title, has made an electrifying start to the season. He has already scored six goals in three Champions League appearances, making him Europe’s most prolific player in the competition so far.
