Operation in the Referees File investigation: Ferhat Gündoğdu and Yunus Yıldırım are in custody

A new operation was organized in the "Referees File" investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

7 suspects were detained along with MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu as part of the investigation into the allegation that forged documents were prepared in referee appointments.

It was noteworthy that former referee and former Central Referee Board member Yunus Yıldırım was among the names taken into custody.

So, who is Yunus Yıldırım? Why was former referee Yunus Yıldırım taken into custody?

He is a former FIFA licensed football referee who was born on February 23, 1970 in Alaşehir district of Manisa.

Yıldırım, whose main profession is physical education teacher, served as the Manisa region referee for many years.

Yıldırım, who managed his first match in the Super League in the Adanaspor-Malatyaspor match on August 10, 2003, took part in important matches such as four derbies and the 2008 Turkish Cup Final, as well as Super League matches, throughout his career.

He left active refereeing at the end of the 2014-2015 season.

While Yıldırım announced that he was quitting FIFA refereeing in 2012, he stated that his decision was aimed at paving the way for young Turkish referees in the international arena.

Yıldırım, who served in the TFF Central Referee Board (MHK) after his referee career, took part in the MHK chaired by Ferhat Gündoğdu in 2024 and served in the Professional Competition Executive Board.

He resigned from MHK membership on January 16, 2025.

Yunus Yıldırım received his FIFA license in 2006.

A simultaneous operation was organized in 4 provinces within the scope of the "Referees File" investigation carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

7 suspects were detained in the investigation into allegations of mobbing against referees and observers and forgery of official documents.

It was noteworthy that the President of the Central Referee Board (MHK), Ferhat Gündoğdu, as well as former referee Yunus Yıldırım, who is well known in Turkish football, were also detained during the operation.