Messages Between Yasin Kol and Ferhat Gündoğdu Emerge in Referee Investigation

WhatsApp messages between referee Yasin Kol, who was detained as part of the referee investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and former Central Refereeing Board (MHK) President Ferhat Gündoğdu have come to light. Examinations revealed that referee assignments, which were officially stated to be made via artificial intelligence and algorithms, were actually determined directly.

Content of Messages and Assignment Details

It was determined through WhatsApp messages that Super League referee Yasin Kol personally determined the referee squad and VAR-AVAR officials for the match he would officiate and forwarded them to former MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu.

As a result of the dialogues, it was determined that changes were made to the names of the VAR and AVAR referees, and the parties held video calls to create the final squad list.

Play-Off Final and Date Range

It turned out that the conversations in question took place between May 26 and May 29, 2025, and covered the referee squad for the TFF 1st League play-off final match between Karagümrük and Bandırmaspor.

Digital Examinations and MASAK Report

Examinations of Ferhat Gündoğdu's digital materials determined that a list was sent to TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu regarding favoring certain referees in exchange for association aid.

Meanwhile, the MASAK report prepared regarding Yasin Kol noted that there was intense money traffic with suspects of illegal betting and fraud, and a strong conviction was formed that he had engaged in illegal betting.