Statement from Samsunspor on betting investigation and PFDK referrals
Yüksel Yıldırım stated that the persons referred to PFDK were Samsunspor Football Club A.Ş. He stated that he had no connection with.
Quick Look
- 7 people, who were among the names referred to PFDK by TFF in the betting investigation, belong to Samsunspor A.Ş.
- Stating that he has no connection with the association, President Yüksel Yıldırım explained that these people work within the association.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
TFF referred people who were found to have placed bets in the last 5 years to PFDK in accordance with Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction.
Within the scope of the betting investigation, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decided that those who worked as managers in the clubs competing in the Super League and TFF 1st League in the 2026-2027 football season in the last 5 years and were found to have placed bets during this period would be referred to the PFDK as a precautionary measure, as of September 30, in accordance with Article 57 of the Football Disciplinary Instruction.
On the list, 7 people from Samsunspor were also referred to PFDK. President Yüksel Yıldırım made a statement by stating that the people transferred from Samsunspor had no connection with the club and were operating under an association structure that had nothing to do with football.
In the referral list to PFDK shared with the public by the Turkish Football Federation on September 30, 7 people, consisting of Ali Asal, Seyit Ali Kindal, Giray Şen, Rıfat Yılmaz, Serkan Kaya, Gökhan Kutlu and Zafer Erdoğan, between the numbers 384 and 390, were shown under the name "Samsunspor", and it was published on the official website with the signature of President Yıldırım, who stated that they felt the need to make this statement in order to inform the public correctly. The published post included the following statements:
"The persons in question do not have any administrative or official direct ties with Samsunspor Football Club Inc.. These people have not taken any position within our club Football Inc., but have served as managers in Samsunspor Club Association. Samsunspor Football Club A.Ş. and Samsunspor Club Association are two different legal structures, independent of each other and with separate legal entities. Samsunspor Football Club A.Ş.; Chairman of the Board of Directors Yüksel Yıldırım and Board Members Evren Öztürk and Veysel It is managed by the board of directors consisting of Bilen. As can be seen, none of the people mentioned in the referral list are included in this structure. Failure to observe this distinction in the statement has led to our club being unfairly associated with the betting investigation in the eyes of the public. For this reason, an application was made to the Turkish Football Federation with our official letter dated October 1. We request that the issue be examined in detail, information and confirmation are obtained from our club before similar statements are made, and the mistake made is corrected with a new statement to the public. "We respectfully inform the public that we reserve all our legal rights due to any damage our club has suffered or may suffer."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Response by the institution to the official application made to TFF
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will TFF make corrections in the referral list?
- How will the disciplinary process against association managers proceed?
