The pinnacle of the Turkish referees’ physique has been arrested as a part of a police investigation into corruption.
Turkish justice minister Akin Gurlek stated the investigation centered on “claims relating to interference within the formation of referee classifications, assignments, scoring and appointment processes, in addition to rule examinations”.
Ferhat Gundogdu, the president of the refereeing physique, his vice-president and one other 5 persons are these arrested.
Gurlek stated police additionally searched properties, workplaces and workplaces.
“We’ll resolutely proceed our combat for clear soccer in order that allegations damaging belief in Turkish soccer are dropped at gentle, these accountable are held accountable earlier than the regulation, and soccer is related to the hassle, competitors and sportsmanship on the pitch,” Gurlek stated.
In November 2025 the Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) suspended 149 referees and assistant referees after an investigation discovered lots of {of professional} match officers within the nation had betting accounts.
Some 29 individuals had been arrested within the sprawling scandal, together with 14 footballers.
Nevertheless, Gurlek didn’t make any hyperlink between final 12 months’s betting scandal and the present investigation.
