Turkish betting scandal: Osimhen’s teammate among over 1000 footballers implicated

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has launched one of the largest disciplinary investigations in its history, implicating more than 1,000 footballers in an alleged betting scandal.

Among those named is Galatasaray defender Eren Elmalı, a teammate of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who has been dropped from the national team as investigations deepen.

The TFF confirmed on Monday that 24-year-old Eren Elmalı was removed from Türkiye’s national team squad after being referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board under Article 57 of the federation’s disciplinary code.

In total, 1,024 players across different professional divisions were referred as a precautionary measure following findings that some had engaged in betting activities.

The move triggered immediate roster changes across multiple age categories, with Izzet Çelik and Ege Albayrak also dropped from the Under-21 and Under-19 squads respectively.

Elmalı later issued a statement on social media, explaining that his name appeared in the case because of a single bet placed roughly five years ago on a match unrelated to his team. “Since that day, I have neither placed bets nor had the slightest connection to this matter,” he insisted.

TFF launches historic crackdown on betting in football

The federation described the mass referral as part of a sweeping crackdown on betting violations within Turkish football.

While details remain scarce, the TFF confirmed that the disciplinary board will review each case individually to determine the extent of violations and potential sanctions.

The ongoing investigation underscores Turkish football’s growing intolerance for activities that compromise sporting integrity.

Although Elmalı maintains his innocence, the case has exposed the scale of betting among professional athletes and the potential consequences for clubs like Galatasaray, whose players now find themselves under unprecedented scrutiny..