Allegations of 'affiliation' in referee assignments: Lawsuit filed for dissolution of association

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has filed a lawsuit seeking the dissolution of the Istanbul Branch of the Association of Active Football Referees and Observers of Turkey.

In the petition prepared by the Prosecutor's Office's Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau, it was stated that there are messages and documents indicating that association executives classified referees as "close, obedient, controllable, and others."

The petition also included findings that affiliation and loyalty were taken as the basis for match and observer assignments instead of objective criteria. It was alleged that the association's presidency was being used as an element of power over the football and refereeing community.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office argued that these activities went beyond the purposes stated in the association's charter and that these practices showed continuity.

In the petition, it was stated that the identified practices should be evaluated within the scope of Article 89 of the Turkish Civil Code, and it was requested on behalf of the public that a decision be made to dissolve the association.