From Scandal to Strategy: Sports Diplomacy in Türkiye’s Football Turmoil

Türkiye’s football community is facing one of the most significant crises in its modern history — and the implications extend far beyond the pitch.

What began as a routine Turkish Football Federation (TFF) audit in late October has escalated into a full-scale criminal investigation into illegal betting, match-fixing, and possible involvement of club executives, referees, coaches, and even commentators.

Türkiye’s widening football scandal is no longer just a domestic sports crisis — it has become a sports diplomacy challenge with real consequences for the country’s global image and its role as a Euro 2032 co-host.

The revelations of illegal betting, suspended referees, and potential match-fixing have shaken the credibility of one of Türkiye’s most influential soft-power assets: football.

The timing is sensitive. Türkiye has worked for years to position itself as a regional sports hub — from bidding for Olympics to hosting elite football events. Euro 2032, co-hosted with Italy, is meant to showcase national capacity, stability, and professionalism. But the scandal risks overshadowing these efforts, especially as evidence shows systemic issues: 371 of 571 referees holding betting accounts, and lower-tier leagues disrupted by mass suspensions.

For Türkiye’s sports diplomacy, the path forward requires more than punishment. It demands a credible clean-up, institutional reform, and a proactive narrative highlighting cooperation with global bodies and commitment to restoring integrity.

Handled well, Türkiye can turn this crisis into an opportunity — proof that transparency and reform are possible even in deeply rooted systems. Mishandled, it risks undermining both domestic trust and international confidence.

In this process, sports diplomacy practitioners, non-state sports actors, and civil society organizations have critical roles. Non-state actors — including clubs, fan groups, players’ associations, sports NGOs, academies, independent analysts, and integrity watchdogs — can influence international perception by advocating transparency, implementing ethical standards, and engaging in cross-border collaborations. Their involvement signals that accountability is not confined to state institutions; it is a shared societal commitment.

In global sports, reputation is a form of power. The coming months will determine how Türkiye wields — or loses — it.