Referee investigation in Turkish football and legal experts' evaluations
In the referee investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and two referees were detained. Sports lawyer Attorney Anıl Dinçer commented on the potential impacts of the process.
Within the scope of the referee investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Central Arbitration Board (MHK) President Ferhat Gündoğdu, Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol, and assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel were detained, while sports lawyers discussed the potential impacts of the process on the football community.
Development of the Investigation and Detentions
In the referee file investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Bureau of Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes, seven people, including Central Arbitration Board President Ferhat Gündoğdu, were referred to the courthouse.
Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol and Süper Lig assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel were detained in Trabzon and included within the scope of the judicial process.
Details of the Accusations
The suspects are facing accusations of torment, forgery of official documents, breach of trust, unlawful acquisition of personal data, and violation of Law No. 7258.
Possibility of Postponing the Süper Lig
Sports lawyer Attorney Anıl Dinçer stated that he does not foresee a decision to postpone the leagues in the short term, expressing that a two-to-three-week postponement would not be logical.
It was stated that if there is a serious decrease in the number of referees who can serve, a temporary referee committee or temporary referees from abroad might come to the agenda.
Status of Match-Fixing and Incentive Allegations
It was emphasized that the accusations directed at the current stage do not fall within the scope of match-fixing and incentives, and the most critical detail in the file is whether it will evolve into this dimension in the future process.
It was stated that if the investigation shifts towards match-fixing, retroactive examinations and new decisions regarding match results could come to the agenda.
Stance of TFF and International Institutions
It was noted that key figures in TFF's approach to the process must be urgently suspended from duty temporarily, otherwise the sense of justice will be harmed.
It was conveyed that FIFA or UEFA do not have any sanctions at this stage, but international institutions could step in if the investigation drags on for too long.