5 suspects were arrested in the referees file investigation, 2 of them were released on judicial control

Among the 7 suspects detained within the scope of the "referees file" investigation, 5 people, including MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, were arrested. The two suspects were released on condition of judicial control with an international travel ban.

7 suspects, including the President of the Central Referee Board (MHK), Ferhat Gündoğdu, who were detained in the operation carried out within the scope of the investigation known as the "Referees File" in Istanbul, were referred to the criminal judgeship of peace with a request for arrest.

While it was decided to arrest MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, Ferdi Karadoruk, Yunus Yıldırım, Alican Sağlar and Emre Kosif, Ahmet Şahin and Sebahattin Şahin were released under judicial control with an international travel ban.

NAMES ARRESTED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION:

Ferhat Gündoğdu (Central Referee Board - MHK President)

Ferdi Karadoruk (TFF Active Football Referees and Observers Association President)

Yunus Yıldırım (Former Member of TFF MHK)

Alican Sağlar (TFF Referees and Observers Association Istanbul Branch Organization Manager)

Emre Kosif (TFF Referees and Observers Association Istanbul Provincial Referee Board President)

NAMES FOR WHICH JUDICIAL CONTROL DECISION WAS GIVEN:

Ahmet Şahin (TFF MHK Former Deputy Chairman)

Sebahattin Şahin (MHK Member and TFF Education and 4th Region Manager)

WHAT HAPPENED?

Central Arbitration Board (MHK) President Ferhat Gündoğdu was detained on charges of "mobbing" and "forgery of official documents" within the scope of an investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

It is stated that the investigation focuses on fraudulent allegations in referee exam papers, irregularities in referee classifications and appointments, and allegations of pressure (mobbing) on ​​referees. Additionally, WhatsApp correspondence between the suspects and the referees was also examined.

A crisis has arisen in the current management of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). Although advance resignation petitions were received from 8 other board members of MHK, it turned out that Ferhat Gündoğdu did not make such a commitment. According to Article 43 of the TFF main statute, the federation was in a legal deadlock, as board members cannot be dismissed unless they resign.

While it was predicted that Gündoğdu and his team would not be able to continue their duties after this time, names such as Anthony Taylor and Mustafa Kamil Abitoğlu began to be talked about in the sports public, including the replacement of a foreign president.