Turkish football has been engulfed in a massive betting and match-fixing scandal, sending shockwaves through the sport and leading to the suspension of over 1,000 professional players and officials. The crisis has drawn Victor Osimhen's club, Galatasaray, into its heart, despite the Nigerian striker, the Turkish Super Lig's most high-profile player, not being personally implicated.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) initiated one of the largest disciplinary investigations in its history, suspending 1,024 professional players as a precautionary measure. Twenty-seven of these players belong to Turkey's top division, while hundreds more are from lower leagues. In response to the mass suspensions, the TFF postponed all third- and fourth-division matches for two weeks and requested an additional 15 days for the winter transfer window, allowing clubs to reinforce depleted squads. Prosecutors confirmed that eight people, including a first-division club president, were arrested following months of investigations into illegal gambling networks. Further reports indicated 21 individuals, including 17 referees and two club presidents, were detained in connection with the scandal.

The scale of the breaches became even more apparent when TFF president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu revealed that hundreds of referees were also involved. According to Haciosmanoglu, 371 out of the country’s 571 referees were linked to betting platforms, with 152 actively placing wagers. This included seven referees and 15 assistants from the top two divisions. One referee reportedly placed an astonishing 18,227 bets, while 142 others bet on over 1,000 matches. As officials are strictly prohibited from all betting activities under domestic and international regulations, this represents one of the biggest integrity crises in European football history.

While Victor Osimhen, who fired Galatasaray to a third straight Super Lig title last season and was permanently signed for a record €75 million, has not been directly involved in the scandal, his club Galatasaray has not escaped scrutiny. Intel Region reported that two Galatasaray players, Eren Elmalı and Metehan Baltacı, are among those referred to the Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK). Other prominent players named include Necip Uysal and Ersin Destanoğlu of Besiktas, and Boran Başkan and Salih Malkoçoğlu of Trabzonspor.

Eren Elmalı, a defender for Galatasaray and a teammate of Osimhen, was subsequently removed from Türkiye’s national team squad. Elmalı later issued a statement on social media, explaining that his name appeared in the case due to a single bet placed approximately five years ago on a match unrelated to his team. He insisted that he has neither placed bets nor had any connection to the matter since then. The TFF confirmed that the disciplinary board would review each case individually to determine the extent of violations and potential sanctions, underscoring Turkish football’s commitment to combating activities that compromise sporting integrity.

The deepening crisis raises significant questions about the future of Turkish football and whether high-profile stars like Osimhen will remain in the league. Despite Osimhen's continued blistering form, scoring six goals in three Champions League games this term, sources in Spain, Italy, and Saudi Arabia claim clubs like Chelsea, Barcelona, Juventus, and various Saudi teams remain interested in acquiring him. Galatasaray is reportedly demanding over €100 million for their prized asset, as the betting scandal continues to cast a long shadow over the nation's football landscape.