Eighteen people, including referees, have been detained in Turkey for illegal betting on football matches, following a major scandal.

The Istanbul Prosecutor's Office announced the detention of 18 people as part of an investigation targeting football referees suspected of illegal betting. These arrests took place a week after the Turkish Football Federation suspended 149 referees for involvement in illegal betting. In total, 21 people, including 17 referees and the president of a first division club, are subject to arrest warrants. The investigation focuses on suspicions of 'abuse of office' and 'influencing the outcome of a match.' The suspensions of the referees range from eight to twelve months, without further details about their involvement in betting on the matches they officiated.