Former referee Süleyman Abay makes Ahmet Şahin claim in MHK investigation

The testimony given by former Süper Lig referee Süleyman Abay as a witness in the investigation into the Central Referee Board (MHK) has come to the fore. Abay stated that he was on the referee and observer list before the 2024-2025 season, but his name was not on the second list published after the season began.

As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, operations were carried out in 4 provinces centered in Istanbul; 9 suspects, including MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and Süper Lig referee Yasin Kol, were detained.

In his testimony, Abay explained that his name was on the referee and observer list announced on July 27, 2024, and that he had completed the process by attending the seminar following this list. Stating that a second list was published on August 28, 2024, in a manner "contrary to tradition," Abay said, "My name was not on this list. My duty had been terminated."

The former referee stated that after his duty was terminated, he applied to the Arbitration Board, his application was rejected by a majority vote, and the file was taken to the European Court of Human Rights. Abay noted that the case is still ongoing.

ABAY'S CLAIM REGARDING AHMET ŞAHİN

Süleyman Abay also touched upon former MHK member Ahmet Şahin in his testimony. Abay alleged that Şahin was among the reasons why some names were left out both in the 2022 list process and in the lists announced recently.

Abay used the following expressions: "Behind the list announced in the March 8, 2022 period is Ahmet Şahin, who was an MHK member at that time and is currently back in Ferhat Gündoğdu's team, but who resigned and left in the middle of last season. He is one of the reasons why our names were not on the list made in 2022 and the list made in this period."

Referring to the "structure" allegations discussed in the football community, Abay claimed that if Ahmet Şahin were investigated, the relationships in football would be revealed. Regarding the common point of the referees and observers on the list, Abay drew attention to the names who officiated in matches during TFF President İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu's tenure as Trabzonspor president.

Abay also said that he had no personal grudge against MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu. However, the former referee stated that he thought Gündoğdu acted with certain directions and alleged that Ahmet Şahin was also in the background of his claims.

News Source: 12punto