TURKiSH football chiefs have launched disciplinary proceedings after 152 referees were found to be actively gambling as fans declared “Jose Mourinho was right.”
An investigation spanning five years revealed that out of the 571 officials operating in the country, 371 had betting accounts.
Of those, 152 were active gamblers.
And although some had only ever placed one single bet, 42 others had put wagers on over 1,000 matches.
Meanwhile, the investigation also revealed one had bet 18,227 times.
Of the group, seven referees operate in Turkey’s Super Lig and second tier.
Those divisions also feature 15 assistant referees from the investigation.
And the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) is now ready to dish out punishments after launching disciplinary proceedings.
The TFF rule book states that officials who place bets face bans of up to a year.
However, Fifa rules dictate those referees could also end up with three-year football-wide bans, as well as fines of nearly £95,000.
TFF president Ethem Haciosmanoglu said: “If we want to bring Turkish football to the place it deserves, we have to clean up whatever dirt there is.”
Several clubs responded to the news, with Besiktas declaring it “could mark a new beginning for clean football.”
Trabzonspor stated it’s “an historic opportunity to rebuild justice in Turkish football.”
And Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran added: “This is both shocking and deeply saddening for Turkish football.
“But the face that it is coming to light is a hopeful development.”
Former Fenerbahce boss Mourinho previously claimed referees were against his side as he battled top dogs Galatasaray for the title.
Mourinho said a year ago: “We are not fighting the opposing team, we are fighting the system. And fighting the system is the hardest thing.
“Before coming to Turkey I heard these stories, but honestly I didn’t believe them. But after actually coming here, it was much more serious than what I heard.
“I have complaints about the people at Fenerbahce who brought me here. They told half the truth and hid the rest. If I had known everything, I wouldn’t have come.”
Fans now believe Mourinho to be vindicated, with one saying: “Guess the Special One had the last laugh.”
Another added: “Turns out Jose was right.”
