Message records revealed in referees investigation

In the investigation carried out in 4 provinces centered in Istanbul, 7 suspects, including the President of the Central Referee Board (MHK), Ferhat Gündoğdu, were detained, and the message records of some suspects were included in the file.

The message records of some suspects were examined in the "Referees file" investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Bureau regarding the crimes of "torture" and "forgery of official documents" against some suspects.

In the message sent by referee G.H.E to TFF Active Referees Association President Ferdi Karadoruk on May 15, 2025, "President, you were going to ask good morning questions (regarding the referee exam)." It was understood that Karadoruk replied, "I asked for it from Kosif, let me ask for it again, sir."

It was determined that Karadoruk, whom G.H.E reminded that he would ask the questions in his message dated May 19, 2025, wrote, "I am asking Emre for the third time, my master. There is a May 19 program, let it end, I will return."

It was understood that in the message Karadoruk sent to a person about provincial referee board member Mehmet Çaylak, he wrote: "Definitely do not appoint an observer to Mehmet Çaylak, let's think about 3 years later, if necessary, let's do mobbing, let him resign."

OPERATION

Within the scope of the "Referees file" investigation carried out by Istanbul Police Department Financial Crimes Branch Directorate teams under the coordination of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Bureau, it was determined that there were allegations of "torture" and "forgery of official documents" against some suspects.

As a result of open source research, MASAK and HTS studies, complainant and witness statements and expert findings within the scope of the file, it was evaluated that MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and some MHK members, referees and observers, may be connected to the crime.

Thereupon, in the operation carried out at the addresses determined in Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ and Manisa, Ferhat Gündoğdu, TFF Active Referees Association President Ferdi Karadoruk, former TFF Central Referee Board Deputy Chairman Ahmet Şahin, former TFF Central Referee Board Member Yunus Yıldırım, TFF Education and 4th Region Officer Sebahattin Şahin, TFF Referees and Observers Association Istanbul Branch Organization Officer Alican Sağlar. TFF Referees and Observers Association Istanbul Provincial Referee Board President Emre Kosif was taken into custody.