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2026-10-02 02:17 UTC → 2026-10-02 02:22 UTC ·
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Turkish football referee corruption investigation probe triggers TFF resignations
Turkish football authorities are conducting a major The investigation into corruption and sports crimes involving within Turkish football has escalated, causing significant instability within the Central Referee Committee (MHK). Coordinated by Turkish Football Federation (TFF). Following a massive betting probe, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, TFF Legal Counsel referred 448 officials from the probe has led Süper Lig and TFF 1. Lig, who served over the last five years, to the detention Professional Football Disciplinary Board (PFDK) on betting-related grounds. This action has triggered a wave of MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and several other officials across multiple provinces, high-level resignations, including Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ, and Manisa. Initial allegations include official document forgery, mobbing, TFF Board Member Ural Aküzüm, several reserve members, and interference in refereeing processes, such as the manipulation heads of match assignments, referee classifications, and the 2025 rule exam. Investigators are utilizing MASAK financial reports Foreign Relations and telephone records as evidence. Amateur Affairs boards. While the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) denied claims legal experts note that digital materials were deleted prior to police inspections, TFF statutes do not mandate an automatic dissolution of the investigation has expanded board due to include allegations of illegal betting. Digital evidence has surfaced, including a voice recording these departures, the internal structure remains in which Gündoğdu allegedly used threatening language toward FIFA assistant referee Kerem Ersoy, telling him, ‘Either submit your resignation, quit refereeing, or be a man’ and ‘I am giving you a last chance.’ Additionally, former referee Ali Tuna testified regarding potential document tampering at flux. Tensions have also risen between the TFF facilities and claimed he was forced the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor’s Office reportedly issued a written warning to resign due the TFF to mobbing by MHK members. The coordinate disciplinary actions with the ongoing judicial investigation has grown to involve 54 individuals who have provided testimony, including active and former referees. Witnesses such as Süleyman Abay, Taner Gizlenci, and Emre Altun have provided statements alleging that referee and observer classifications were manipulated based on personal affiliations or past matches rather than sporting performance. Witnesses have also suggested that these changes may have been influenced by past political connections. The probe, referred to as prevent the ‘Referees File,’ has recently expanded following flight of suspects or the analysis destruction of digital evidence and MASAK records. Super evidence. However, the TFF proceeded with its referrals without such coordination. As the probe continues, Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol and assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel have been taken remain in custody as part of the broader investigation into custody. They face allegations including violation of Law No. 7258, participation in forgery, forgery and abuse of duty.