The federation said Friday it had decided to impose sanctions of between eight to 12 months against the 149 officials, while investigations were continuing against another three. "The reputation of Turkish soccer is built on the sanctity of the effort on the field and the unwavering integrity of justice. Any act that betrays these values is not merely a violation of the rules, but a breach of trust," federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said in a statement.
Particularly alarming is the fact that seven referees and 15 assistant referees who work in the Super Lig are among the suspects. "One referee alone placed 18,227 bets," TFF President Ibrahim Hacosmanoglu told a press conference. "We are determined to rid football of any trace of corruption. We will make no exceptions." The scale of the scandal suggests systematic, organized structures.