Statement on Referee Investigation from Minister of Justice Gürlek
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that a total of 7 people have been arrested in the investigation conducted against football referees for forgery of official documents and mobbing.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made important evaluations regarding the investigation carried out against football referees at the Anadolu Agency Editor's Desk. He announced that 7 people, including Central Referee Committee (MHK) President Ferhat Gündoğdu, were arrested in the process initiated on allegations of forgery of official documents and mobbing, and that there is concrete evidence in the file.
Emphasis on Clean Turkish Football
Stating that Turkish football must be clean, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek expressed that they want referees to perform their duties within the framework of justice and independently of anyone.
He noted that as a result of the ongoing investigations, it was seen that referees did not fully comply with these rules and that the file contained concrete evidence regarding this situation.
Forgery of Official Documents and Mobbing
It was reported that the basis of the investigation relies on allegations of forgery of official documents and mobbing, and allegations that referee exam questions were distributed in advance are being examined.
Additionally, it was stated that certain referees were granted privileges and assigned to specific matches, while certain names were excluded from classification and kept under pressure.
MASAK and HTS Records Being Examined
It was conveyed that technical and concrete data were focused on under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office during the process of investigating allegations of match-fixing, bonus incentives, and betting.
In this context, attention was drawn to the fact that Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) reports and telecommunication (HTS) records hold great importance in the course of the investigation.
A Total of 7 Detainees in the Investigation
MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, Ferdi Karadoruk, Yunus Yıldırım, Alican Sağlar, Emre Kosif, Yasin Kol, and Göktuğ Hazar Erel were arrested and sent to prison.
It was shared that some names previously mentioned within the framework of the investigation were released under judicial control conditions.