The Turkish Football Federation said on Monday that it was investigating more than 150 referees in professional leagues who were allegedly betting on football matches.
Federation president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu said at a news conference that government agencies have determined that 371 of 571 active referees have at least one account with a betting company.
"Although no officials were named, the list includes seven referees and 15 assistant referees from Turkey's top two divisions. "I have shared this study with both FIFA and UEFA," HaciosmanoÄŸlu said.
"We are saddened by the fact that, despite clear instructions, our referee colleagues are opening accounts and placing bets in their own names.
"As of today, our disciplinary board will initiate the necessary procedures, make referrals within a short timeframe, and impose the necessary penalties according to our instructions."
Hacıosmanoğlu said 10 referees placed bets on more than 10,000 matches, one alone on 18,227 games, in five years but some did it only once.
"We know the Turkish football needs a change," Hacıosmanoğlu said. "Our duty is to elevate Turkish football to its rightful place and to clean up all the filth within it."
Match officials, players and coaches are forbidden from betting by the TTF's disciplinary regulation as well as by FIFA and UEFA.
Haciosmanoglu said the TFF is working on initiatives and training programmes to educate future match officials.
"If we work together to implement this initiative, we have full confidence that a brighter future awaits us," he said.
He said the federation's disciplinary board will deal with the cases immediately.
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this story
