Turkey's Refereeing Chief Arrested in Graft Investigation

Ferhat Gundogdu, the head of Turkey’s football refereeing body, along with six others, has been arrested as part of a graft investigation, as announced by Justice Minister Akin Gurlek. The investigation focuses on allegations of interference in referee classification, assignments, scoring, and appointments.

Searches were conducted at the homes and workplaces of the suspects. Gurlek stated the government's commitment to ensuring accountability in Turkish football.

This action follows a previous scandal where Turkey’s Football Federation suspended 149 referees over illegal betting allegations. The TFF, while not directly linking the current arrests to the earlier scandal, affirmed its ongoing efforts to combat illegal betting and restore public trust in football.

Prosecutors suspect the arrested individuals influenced referee classifications and match appointments through document fraud and intimidation. The investigation was initiated after a formal complaint, with authorities examining financial audits, phone records, and witness testimonies.