Turkish football authorities have launched disciplinary proceedings after a shocking revelation that 152 referees were actively gambling — sparking reactions from fans who said, “Jose Mourinho was right.”

A five-year investigation found that out of 571 referees in the country, 371 held betting accounts, with 152 of them actively placing bets. Some referees placed just one wager, while 42 others bet on over 1,000 matches — and one individual was found to have made an astonishing 18,227 bets.

Among those involved, seven referees currently officiate in Turkey’s top two divisions, alongside 15 assistant referees.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has begun disciplinary action and could impose bans of up to one year under its own rules. However, FIFA regulations could see guilty referees handed three-year global bans and fines reaching £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.”

Turkish clubs have also reacted strongly to the scandal. Besiktas called it “a new beginning for clean football,” while Trabzonspor described it as “an historic opportunity to rebuild justice.”

Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran said, “This is both shocking and deeply saddening for Turkish football. But the fact that it is coming to light is a hopeful development.”

The revelations come after former Fenerbahce coach Jose Mourinho previously claimed referees were biased against his team, saying, “We are not fighting the opposing team, we are fighting the system.”

With these findings now public, many fans believe Mourinho’s past criticism has been vindicated. One wrote, “Guess the Special One had the last laugh,” while another added, “Turns out Jose was right.”