There has been a new development in the investigation carried out against the Central Referee Board by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau. In the examination of the digital materials of MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, who was detained within the scope of the investigation, a voice recording was revealed, which was stated to belong to his meeting with FIFA assistant referee Kerem Ersoy.
The statements in the record contain remarkable details regarding the relationship between referee appointments and MHK management.
"EITHER GIVE YOUR PETITION, STOP REFEREEING, OR BECOME A MAN"
According to the audio recording, the meeting begins with discussing the message Kerem Ersoy sent to Gündoğdu after not being assigned a task for a while. Gündoğdu claims to Ersoy that his father Fahir Ersoy has contacted some people and uses the following expressions: "You are doing something bad and you are showing it. Despite this, I continue to give you matches." When Ersoy said that he did not understand what was meant, Gündoğdu said, "Either submit your petition, quit refereeing, or become a man." he is heard saying.
"I'M ON THE BREAK BETWEEN WHETHER TO FINISH YOUR REFEREE OR NOT TO FINISH YOUR REFEREE"
In the later part of the conversation, Gündoğdu's expressions become even harsher. Gündoğdu, who is stated to be the President of MHK, said to the FIFA assistant referee, "I am on the verge of finishing your refereeing or not. I am giving you the last chance." he says. Then, "Be a man or leave." He uses the expressions. Ersoy, on the other hand, maintains that he did not understand what the accusations against him were during the meeting, that he was not acting with any group and that he was only focusing on his refereeing.
HE HELD THE REFEREE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS FATHER'S ACTIVITIES
One of the most striking parts of the recording was Gündoğdu talking about some association/society initiatives and contacts of Kerem Ersoy's father, Fahir Ersoy. Gündoğdu: "I cannot think of you separately from your father." By saying this, he clearly states that he evaluated Ersoy's father's activities together with the referee's situation. Ersoy, on the other hand, says that his father is not involved in any social activities and is not in contact with anyone.
GÜNDOĞDU: "THE STATE IS FOLLOWING"
One of the most striking expressions in the audio recording is "The state is following and catching", which Gündoğdu uses about some people and correspondence. his words were. While Gündoğdu claims that some people have sent correspondence about him, he claims that these are being followed by the state and uses very harsh expressions.
"DO NOT TALK ABOUT MHK ANYWHERE AGAIN"
Gündoğdu's statements regarding Kerem Ersoy's speech about MHK are also clearly included in the recording. Gündoğdu said, "Don't talk about MHK anywhere again. This time my attitude will be different." he says and states that this is his "last warning". He continued: "If you don't give up, pray for me to leave. Tell them to pray and let me go. Only then will you be saved." He uses the expressions.
*GÜNDOĞDU: "YOU WILL BE REFEREEED"
As the conversation continues, Gündoğdu describes the MHK Presidency as a "state duty" and argues that he has nothing to lose. Then he said to Ersoy, "But you will be a referee." he says. In the recording, Gündoğdu also said that he followed Ersoy's match performance closely and said, "I follow his every step." It seems that he used the expression. However, Gündoğdu also clearly states that Ersoy did not make intentional mistakes in the matches and was honest.
"YOU DON'T MAKE MISTAKES IN THE MATCH, BECAUSE YOU ARE HONEST"
One of the important details of the audio recording is that Gündoğdu made positive evaluations about Ersoy's refereeing performance, despite his harsh statements. Gündoğdu: "You don't make a mistake in a match knowingly or unknowingly." and “You are honest.” He uses the expressions. This section draws attention as one of the elements that show that the meeting was shaped by the referee's attitude, which is claimed to be related to MHK and some people and groups in the referee community, rather than sports performance.
VOICE RECORDING IS UNDER INVESTIGATION DURING THE INVESTIGATION
It is stated that the speech in question was obtained from Gündoğdu's digital materials within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Statements in the audio recording that his referee career may be terminated, remarks regarding match assignments, warnings not to talk about MHK, and statements such as "the state is following" are expected to be evaluated within the scope of the investigation.
