Ferhat Gündoğdu, chairman of the Turkish Football Federation’s Central Referee Board (MHK), was among those detained during operations conducted across four provinces on Tuesday.
Türkiye’s Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said investigators were examining allegations involving the formation of referee classifications, assignments, scoring and appointment procedures, as well as examinations on the laws of the game.
Seven people detained
The operation involved simultaneous searches in Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ and Manisa.
According to Turkish state news agency Anadolu, those detained include:
• Ferhat Gündoğdu: Chairman of the Turkish Football Federation Central Referee Board
• Ferdi Karadoruk: President of the TFF Active Referees Association
• Ahmet Şahin: Former MHK vice-president
• Yunus Yıldırım: Former MHK board member
• Sebahattin Şahin: TFF Education and Fourth Region official
• Alican Sağlar: Istanbul branch official of the TFF Referees and Observers Association
• Emre Kosif: Istanbul Provincial Referee Board chairman
Authorities said searches were carried out at the suspects’ homes, workplaces and offices as part of the investigation.
Justice minister vows action over allegations
Gürlek said the investigation followed claims that the refereeing processes had been improperly influenced.
“We will steadfastly continue the fight for clean football,” the minister said, adding that authorities would work to clarify allegations that undermine confidence in Turkish football and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable under the law.
The suspects have been detained for investigation. The allegations have not been established as proven wrongdoing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Separate from previous betting scandal
The latest investigation comes a year after Turkish football was rocked by a major refereeing and betting scandal.
The Turkish Football Federation previously suspended 149 referees over alleged involvement in illegal betting. Its investigation found that 371 of 571 referees officiating in the professional leagues had betting accounts, while 152 were found to have actively placed bets.
Authorities subsequently arrested 29 people, including 14 footballers, while more than 1,000 players were suspended.
However, Justice Minister Gürlek did not establish a link between that betting investigation and Tuesday’s arrests.
The latest probe therefore represents a separate investigation into alleged interference in Türkiye’s refereeing structure as authorities continue their efforts to address concerns surrounding officiating and confidence in the country’s football system.