Ferhat Gündoğdu resigned from his position as President of the Central Arbitration Board (MHK) on October 3, 2026, following his arrest under an Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation, hurriyet.com.tr reported. The resignation comes while the Turkish Football Federation faces mounting pressure over an extensive sports judiciary inquiry into referee files.
Legal Proceedings And Detention Details
Istanbul 5th Sulh Ceza Hakimliği rejected the prosecutor’s demand to jail Gündoğdu on charges of misconduct in office and threats, cnnturk.com reported. However, the court applied a detention order regarding the charge of recording personal data, according to his attorneys. Gündoğdu’s legal team stated that they are closely monitoring the judicial process and maintain full confidence in his innocence and his swift return to freedom.
The investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Yasa Dışı Bahis ve Spor Suçları Bürosu also ensnared MHK member Sebahattin Şahin, who resigned after being released under judicial control conditions, cnnturk.com reported. Mynet reported that digital materials recovered during the operation included a recorded audio file of Gündoğdu telling FIFA assistant referee Kerem Ersoy, “I am giving you one last chance,” and warning him about ending his referee career.
Federation Response And Interim Assignments
The Turkish Football Federation announced that it accepted Gündoğdu’s resignation letter to protect the federation from reputational damage and to prevent interference with the ongoing legal proceedings, hurriyet.com.tr reported. In the wake of the departures, the federation appointed five existing board members to handle referee assignments for upcoming Ziraat Türkiye Kupası matches scheduled for October 6, 7, and 8, haberler.com reported.
The interim assignment duties are being managed by MHK Deputy Chairman Hikmet Öksüzoğlu alongside board members Ali Zağlı, Kamil Abitoğlu, İbrahim Çınar, and Ziya Çetin, haberler.com reported. Meanwhile, dozens of active and former referees, including Zorbay Küçük, Ümit Öztürk, Hüseyin Göçek, and Mete Kalkavan, have provided testimony as complainants and witnesses to the Istanbul Police Department’s Financial Crimes Investigation Bureau, ntv.com.tr reported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is currently handling referee appointments at the Turkish Football Federation?
Interim referee assignments for matches on October 6, 7, and 8 are being managed by MHK Deputy Chairman Hikmet Öksüzoğlu and board members Ali Zağlı, Kamil Abitoğlu, İbrahim Çınar, and Ziya Çetin, haberler.com reported.
Which specific charges led to the legal action against Ferhat Gündoğdu?
Ferhat Gündoğdu faced accusations involving misconduct in office, threats, and recording personal data, with the court ruling for detention specifically on the personal data recording charge, cnnturk.com reported.
Who else resigned from the Central Arbitration Board alongside the president?
MHK 4th Regional Supervisor Sebahattin Şahin also resigned from his post after being released under judicial control and an international travel ban, cnnturk.com reported.
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