Turkey detains chief and six members of referee board in probe
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said investigators examined referee classifications, assignments and betting records in a wider clean-football probe.
- On Tuesday, Turkish authorities detained Ferhat Gundogdu, chairman of the Turkish Football Federation's central referee board, and six members over alleged interference in refereeing procedures.
- Investigators are probing claims regarding the formation of referee classifications, assignments, scoring, and appointment processes, according to Justice Minister Akin Gurlek.
- Searches were carried out at suspects' residences, workplaces, and offices; investigators examined telecom records and financial data from MASAK alongside expert reports.
- Justice Minister Akin Gurlek vowed to "resolutely continue our fight for clean football to shed light on allegations that undermine confidence in Turkish football." Gurlek did not link this probe to the 2025 betting scandal.
- In 2025, the TFF suspended 149 referees after finding 371 of 571 professional officials had betting accounts, with 152 placing bets; 29 people were arrested, including Fenerbahce midfielder Mert Hakan Yandas.
135 Articles
135 Articles
Several arbitrators have been detained in Turkey. It is about various accusations, such as »abuse« and »forgery of documents«. Private rooms have also been searched.
Turkiye arrests president of football refereeing body
The president of Turkey’s football refereeing body, Ferhat Gundogdu, along with six others, has been arrested on allegations of corruption. The investigation focuses on interference in referee appointments and scoring processes.
THE PRESIDENT of the Turkish Referees Commission, Ferhat Gündoğdu, has been arrested with several associates as part of an investigation into suspicions of mobbing, forgery of documents and other irregularities in the refereeing organization.
Leaders of Turkey referee board and five others arrested in football probe
The president, vice-president and five other members of the Turkish Football Federation’s Central Referees’ Committee have been detained following allegations of interference in refereeing-related procedures. Ferhat Gündoğdu and others were arrested on Tuesday for allegations relating to the classification of referees and the allocation of duties as well as the assessment, appointment and testing procedures […] By Alaa Shamali
The Toronto Star
Turkish authorities arrest head of soccer refereeing body and his deputy amid investigation
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish authorities have arrested the head of the country’s soccer refereeing body, his deputy and five other people amid efforts to “restore the public trust in football,” the country’s justice minister said on Tuesday.
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