Ferhat Gündoğdu resigned from his position as president of the Central Referee Board (MHK) on October 3, 2026, citing the need to ensure the unhindered functioning of the board and a clean judicial process. The resignation follows Gündoğdu’s arrest by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office’s Bureau for Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes, as part of an ongoing inquiry widely known in public records as the “Referees file” investigation. Gündoğdu submitted his resignation in writing to the Turkish Football Federation, following an arrest executed after the bureau launched proceedings involving allegations of eziyet
, resmi belgede sahtecilik
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. Gündoğdu’s defense attorneys stated that the Istanbul 5th Penal Judgeship of Peace rejected the prosecution’s request for detention regarding charges of abuse of office and threats, but applied the measure of detention concerning the offense of recording personal data, while asserting their client’s innocence and expressing full confidence in his imminent freedom.
Arrests and Judicial Measures Against Turkish Football Officials
The investigation into Turkish football administration has resulted in multiple detentions and formal arrests. Alongside Gündoğdu, four other figures were arrested: former MHK member Yunus Yıldırım, TFFHGD Istanbul Branch President Ferdi Karadoruk, TFFHGD Istanbul Organization Official Alican Sağlar, and TFFHGD Istanbul Provincial Referee Board President Emre Kosif. Meanwhile, former MHK Deputy Chairman Ahmet Şahin and TFF Education and 4th Region Official Sebahattin Şahin were released under judicial control, including international travel bans. Şahin subsequently stepped down from his role on the MHK board during the evening hours following his release. Prior to these operations, numerous current and former officials and referees appeared as complainants and witnesses at the Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Financial Crimes Branch.
Expanding Scope Involving Active Süper Lig Match Officials
As investigators analyzed seized digital assets and detailed Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) records, the dragnet widened to active top-flight match officials. Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol and Süper Lig assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel were taken into custody as part of the expanding inquiry. Journalist Burak Doğan reported that both Kol and Erel were scheduled to be referred to the courthouse.
Massive Wave of Witness Testimony in Istanbul
The investigation has drawn in active and retired Turkish referees for questioning at police headquarters. Active referees including Zorbay Küçük, Ümit Öztürk, Abdulkadir Bitigen, Sarper Barış Saka, Tugay Kaan Numanoğlu, Mert Güzenge, Burak Şeker, and Gamze Durmuş Pakkan provided statements as complainants and witnesses. Former referees such as Hüseyin Göçek, Mete Kalkavan, Alper Ulusoy, and Deniz Ateş Bitnel also testified before law enforcement regarding operational practices within the refereeing structure.
Ministerial Statements on Integrity and Systemic Interference
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek publicly addressed the operation during the week, emphasizing that authorities are scrutinizing every allegation of wrongdoing. Gürlek stated that fair competition and transparent refereeing processes form the bedrock of trust in football, noting that the detentions stem from suspicions of direct interference in referee classifications, assignments, scoring systems, and official rule examinations.
Interim Referee Appointments for Upcoming Domestic Fixtures
With the leadership vacuum at the top of the refereeing hierarchy, the Turkish Football Federation announced an interim governance plan. While work continues to form a permanent new Central Referee Board, upcoming Ziraat Türkiye Kupası matches scheduled for October 6, 7, and 8, 2026, will see match assignments handled collectively by MHK Deputy Chairman Hikmet Öksüzoğlu alongside board members Ali Zağlı, Kamil Abitoğlu, İbrahim Çınar, and Ziya Çetin, as detailed in official federation statements. These interim members will temporarily determine match officials for the midweek cup fixtures as questions linger over assignments for the Süper Lig matches commencing with Galatasaray versus Kasımpaşa on October 9, alongside discussions surrounding potential candidates for the permanent presidency.
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