Following the detention of Central Referee Board (MHK) President Ferhat Gündoğdu and 6 MHK members on charges of forgery, Burak Yılmaz's statements from April 13, 2026, have returned to the spotlight.
Yılmaz, who was serving as the manager of Gaziantep FK at the time, resigned from his post after his team lost 2-1 away to Çaykur Rizespor. During the press conference he held after the match, Yılmaz had made remarks directed at the MHK and the Turkish Football Federation.
Regarding Ferhat Gündoğdu, whom Beşiktaş fans had called to resign,
— Class Haber (@ClassHaber_) August 24, 2026
the statement made by Burak Yılmaz ????
Burak Yılmaz: "Turkish football is hitting rock bottom. Why? Everyone is talking about referees. This cannot go on with this Federation president. Ferhat Gündoğdu, everyone there is a puppet of the man called Fuat Göktaş..."
HE HAD REACTED TO GÜNDOĞDU
Reacting to referee decisions, Yılmaz had used the following expressions regarding the tenure of MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu:
"Is Central Referee Board President Ferhat Gündoğdu untouchable, my brother? So many have come and gone. They are playing games and making moves there as they please with Fuat Göktaş."
"A Burak Yılmaz HAS PLACED A BET"
In the same meeting, Yılmaz also recounted that Fuat Göktaş had called him during the mid-season camp in Antalya.
Stating that Göktaş told him, "A Burak Yılmaz has placed a bet" Yılmaz described the phone conversation as follows:
"He said, 'A Burak Yılmaz has placed a bet.' I said, 'What are you talking about, brother?' I told him, 'I lived through the 2010-2011 season; this betting issue is a sore spot for me,' and I hung up the phone."
Stating that he was called again about 15 minutes later, Yılmaz reported that he was told the person identified as having placed the bet was another Burak Yılmaz located in Iğdır.
"THEY WERE TESTING ME"
Claiming that he was being "tested" following these events, Yılmaz had said, "My conscience is clear, my head is held high. I don't know how to place a bet or where it is done." he said.
Yılmaz, who admitted that he later argued with Fuat Göktaş on the phone and that the harsh language he used during that conversation was a mistake, argued that Gaziantep FK was victimized by referee decisions following this call.
Speaking about the betting allegation at the end of the press conference where he announced his resignation, Yılmaz concluded his remarks as follows:
"They cannot set an illegal betting trap for me. I am calling out to Fuat Göktaş; he was testing me."
News Source: 12punto
