Elmali published a statement late Monday to explain his involvement in the case after he was pulled from the Turkey squad preparing to play World Cup qualifying games against Spain and Bulgaria.

The 25-year-old Elmali posted on Instagram that he bet on a game about five years ago that did not involve his own team. He joined Galatasaray this year.

Elmali and his Galatasaray teammate Metehan Baltaci are among 1,024 players on a list published on Monday by the Turkish federation who have been referred to a disciplinary commission.

The federation said third- and fourth-tier divisions are shut down for two weeks, but games in the Super League – led by defending champion Galatasaray – and second tier will continue.

Turkish soccer has been rocked by investigations into alleged widespread bett

See Full Page