Turkey Football Refereeing Chief Faces Court in Graft Investigation

The head of Turkey’s football refereeing body, Ferhat Gundogdu, and six other officials have appeared before a court in Istanbul as prosecutors investigate allegations of interference in the country’s referee administration system.

Gundogdu, who heads the Turkish Football Federation’s Central Referees Committee (MHK), was detained on Tuesday alongside six others. They appeared before a judge at Istanbul’s Caglayan courthouse over allegations including official document forgery, breach of trust and illegal acquisition of personal data.

According to state news agency Anadolu, the court later ordered five of the seven suspects to remain in custody pending trial, while the other two were granted conditional release. The allegations have not been established in court.

Investigation focuses on refereeing procedures

Turkey's Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said prosecutors were examining allegations of interference in several aspects of referee administration.

These include referee classification, match assignments, scoring and appointments, as well as examinations relating to the rules of the game. Authorities have said the investigation is part of efforts to address allegations that could undermine confidence in Turkish football.

The investigation reportedly involved financial records, telecommunications data, witness statements and expert assessments. Turkish authorities have also conducted searches at locations connected to the suspects.

Police searched the video assistant referee (VAR) room at the Turkish Football Federation's headquarters in Riva, Istanbul, during Tuesday's operation.

The federation subsequently rejected reports that digital material had been deleted before investigators arrived, describing such claims as unfounded.

Super Lig referee also detained

The wider investigation has also reached refereeing personnel in Turkey's top flight.

Super Lig referee Yasin Kol and an assistant referee were detained as part of the investigation, according to media reports. Kol has denied placing bets, saying money transfers identified by investigators were loans to people he knew.

The developments come amid a broader examination of betting-related issues within Turkish football.

In October 2025, the TFF said an internal investigation had found that 371 of 571 referees working in Turkey's professional leagues had betting accounts, while 152 had actively placed bets. Those cases were referred for disciplinary action.

Broader betting investigation

The latest refereeing investigation comes as Turkish football faces a wider disciplinary crackdown.

The TFF announced on October 1 that 448 current and former club officials had been provisionally suspended over alleged betting violations. The individuals, who had served at clubs in Turkey's top two divisions, were referred to the federation's disciplinary committee.

The federation has previously taken disciplinary action against referees and players following investigations into betting in professional football.

The latest cases therefore represent another stage in a wider effort by Turkish authorities and football officials to examine the integrity of the sport.

Pressure on football authorities

The investigation could also create pressure on the leadership of the Turkish Football Federation.

Media reports have examined communications involving Gundogdu and TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu, including an alleged exchange concerning a list of referees.

However, the significance of such communications remains a matter for investigators and the courts to establish.

Sports journalist Ayhan Sensoy, who has written about betting and football in Turkey, told AFP that the latest investigation could have wider consequences for the federation's leadership and potentially lead to discussions about an extraordinary general assembly.

Those remain predictions about possible institutional developments rather than confirmed decisions.

Turkish football faces renewed scrutiny

The investigation adds to a difficult period for Turkish football authorities, with concerns over refereeing integrity and betting-related disciplinary cases developing simultaneously.

Justice Minister Gurlek has pledged that authorities will continue investigating allegations that could undermine confidence in the sport.

For now, the court proceedings involving Gundogdu and the other suspects will determine how the allegations progress through Turkey's legal system.

The case also places renewed attention on the systems used to appoint, assess and promote referees processes that are central to maintaining confidence in professional football.

As the investigation continues, Turkish football authorities face scrutiny over whether existing disciplinary and administrative mechanisms are sufficient to protect the integrity of competitions.