Turkish referees’ chief detained in officiating inquiry
Ferhat Gündoğdu is among seven people detained as Turkish authorities investigate alleged interference in football refereeing procedures.
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Turkish police detained Ferhat Gündoğdu, chairman of the Turkish Football Federation’s Central Referee Board, and six other people in an Istanbul-led operation across four provinces on Tuesday. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said investigators were examining allegations of interference in referee classifications, assignments, scoring, appointments and rules examinations. [1] [2]
The inquiry also concerns allegations of official-document forgery and workplace bullying, DHA reported. Searches were carried out at suspects’ homes and workplaces. [1]
DHA identified one of those detained, Ahmet Şahin, as a former deputy chairman of the referee board. Gürlek’s statement, as reported by Independent Türkçe, described a suspect identified by the initials A.Ş. as deputy chairman. The federation’s board listing names Hikmet Öksüzoğlu in that role; a federation announcement confirms Şahin held it in 2024. [1] [2] [5] [6]
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