Active and former referees testify in the referees file investigation
In the ongoing referees file investigation in Istanbul, numerous active and former referees went to the police department to testify as complainants and witnesses.
Within the scope of the referees file investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, numerous active and former referees, including well-known names, gave statements as complainants and witnesses.
Scope of the Investigation
Various allegations are being addressed under the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Bureau of Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes. Proceedings are ongoing regarding the suspects on charges of torment, forgery of official documents, breach of trust, and unlawful acquisition of personal data.
The work continues under the coordination of the Istanbul Police Department's Financial Crimes Investigation Branch teams.
Referees Who Testified
Before and after the operation, numerous active referees came to the police station to give statements. Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy, Erdem Onur Uçarcı, Sarper Barış Saka, Murat Zirek, Kerem Ersoy, Oğuzhan Uğurlu, Zorbay Küçük, Mustafa İlker Coşkun, Gamze Durmuş Pakkan, Burak Pakkan, Mehmet Dilaver Ay, Burak Taşkınsoy, Ümit Öztürk, Emir Eray Eyisoy, Direnç Tonusluoğlu, Abdullah Polat, Mert Güzenge, Taner Gizlenci, Tugay Kaan Numanoğlu, İbrahim Hakan Ceylan, Burak Şeker, Burak Erdoğan, Mesut Arık, and Abdulkadir Bitigen were involved in the process.
Status of Former Referees
Former referees who are no longer on duty were also summoned to the police station within the scope of the investigation file. Deniz Ateş Bitnel, Alparslan Dedeş, Hüseyin Göçek, Mete Kalkavan, Süleyman Abay, Alper Ulusoy, Ali Tuna, and Emre Altun were among the names who testified as complainants and witnesses.
Operations and Detentions
As a result of the work carried out within the scope of the file, it was assessed that Central Arbitration Board (MHK) Chairman Ferhat Gündoğdu and some MHK member referees and observers might be connected to the crime. In operations carried out in Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ, and Manisa, Ferhat Gündoğdu, Ferdi Karadoruk, Ahmet Şahin, Yunus Yıldırım, Sebahattin Şahin, Alican Sağlar, and Emre Kosif were detained. Additionally, Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol and Süper Lig assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel were among those detained.