In the operation carried out in 4 provinces centered in Istanbul, 7 suspects, including MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, referees and observers, were detained on charges of 'mobbing' and 'forgery of official documents'.
Within the scope of the 'Forgery of Official Documents' investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, upon the statement of a victim, an investigation was launched against the suspects for the crimes of 'mobbing' and 'forgery of official documents'.
Based on the open source studies carried out within the scope of the investigation, MASAK and HTS examinations, complainant-witness statements and expert findings, it was evaluated that MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and some MHK members, referees and observers, may be connected to the crime. A simultaneous operation was carried out in 4 provinces centered in Istanbul against 7 suspects. 7 suspects were detained during the operation.
7 SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY
Within the scope of the investigation, MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, TFF Active Referees Association President Ferdi Karadoruk, TFF Central Referee Board Former Deputy Chairman Ahmet Şahin, TFF Central Referee Board Former Member Yunus Yıldırım, MHK Member and TFF Training and 4th Region Officer Sebahattin Şahin, TFF Referees and Observers Association Istanbul Branch Organization Officer Alican Sağlar, TFF Referees and Observers Association Istanbul It was learned that the President of the Provincial Referee Board, Emre Kosif, was taken into custody.
MINISTER GÜRLEK: WE WILL CONTINUE THE STRUGGLE FOR CLEAN FOOTBALL
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek also made the following statements in his statement:
"Football is the common passion of our citizens and an important value of ours. Fair competition on the field and impartial and transparent refereeing processes are the basis of trust in football. Our state resolutely pursues any allegation of irregularities that damage this trust, within the framework of the law.
In this context; Allegations regarding interference in the creation of referee classifications, assignment, scoring and appointment processes, and rule exams were examined. In the investigation carried out by our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and our Istanbul Provincial Police Department; The operation was organized this morning in line with the complainant and witness statements, expert reports, HTS and MASAK records.
Within the scope of the operation; Turkish Football Federation Central Referee Board President F.G., TFF MHK Deputy Chairman A.Ş., MHK Member S.Ş., former MHK Member Y.Y., Turkey Active Football Referees and Observers Association Istanbul Branch President F.K. and A.S. Detention procedures were carried out against the suspects, including E.K. and E.K.; Forensic searches were carried out in residences, workplaces and offices.
We know very well the sensitivity of our sports fans regarding the refereeing processes and their expectations of justice. No one's position, title or duty is a reason for privilege before the law. I would like to thank our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, who carried out this important investigation with great care, and our Istanbul Provincial Police Department, who took part in the operation, for their devoted work.
"We will continue the fight for clean football with determination to clarify the allegations that undermine trust in Turkish football, to hold those responsible accountable before the law, and to make football remembered with effort, struggle and sportsmanship on the field."
