Central Arbitration Committee President Ferhat Gündoğdu and Seven Suspects Detained
In an operation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, CBC President Ferhat Gündoğdu and 7 other figures were detained and referred to the courthouse.
Within the framework of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Investigation Bureau for Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes, operations were carried out in 4 provinces centered in Istanbul regarding allegations of interference in referee classifications and appointment processes. As a result of the operation, 7 suspects, including Central Arbitration Committee President Ferhat Gündoğdu, were apprehended.
Details of the Operation
A total of seven suspects were detained in the investigation operation carried out in four different provinces centered in Istanbul. The suspects, whose procedures at the police station were completed, were taken through a health check and referred to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.
Detained Figures
Detention decisions were implemented against CBC President Ferhat Gündoğdu, TFF Active Referees Association President Ferdi Karadoruk, and former CBC Vice President Ahmet Şahin within the scope of the ongoing investigation. The list also included former CBC Member Yunus Yıldırım, CBC Member Sebahattin Şahin, Alican Sağlar, and Emre Kosif.
Allegations Faced
The suspects are alleged to have interfered in the creation of referee classifications, task assignments, scoring and appointment processes, as well as rule exams. The investigation file also includes allegations such as mobbing, forgery of official documents, and breach of trust.
Statements from Institutions
The Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors announced that they have filed multiple criminal complaints with the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office since April 2025. Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that the operation was carried out in line with complainant statements and expert reports.