Striking correspondence in referee operation: 'Cut his head off'

WhatsApp messages, which are stated to have been included in the case file, have become a hot topic in the ongoing investigation into the refereeing system in Turkish football. As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, detention procedures were carried out for 7 suspects, including MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu.

It is stated that the investigation is being conducted based on allegations of mobbing against certain referees and observers, forgery of official documents, and irregularities in referee classifications and assignments. It was reported that the operation was carried out simultaneously in 4 provinces, centered in Istanbul.

In the digital examinations of the file, it was stated that after an imaging study was performed on the phone of Ferdi Karadoruk, which was seized as part of another investigation, messages regarding the determination of referee lists were reached. It was noted that the conversations, which are stated to have taken place between Alican Sağlar and Karadoruk, were also included in some parts of the correspondence.

In the messages reported to have been included in the file, it was stated that the phrase "Let's remove the 4 from the list" was used, and the response "Let's be careful, let's not remove them immediately" was given. It was alleged that the phrase "Cut his head off and be done with it" was used in the continuation of the correspondence. It was reported that the investigation into who the messages were between and which referees they concerned is ongoing.

SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION

It was stated that in addition to digital correspondence, complainant and witness statements, expert reports, MASAK data, and HTS records are also being examined in the investigation file. Following these findings, it was reported that actions were taken against MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu, some MHK executives, former board members, and some names from the referee community.

According to the information in the file, Gündoğdu faces charges of mobbing and forgery of official documents by a public official. It is alleged that Sebahattin Şahin acted in concert with Gündoğdu to commit mobbing and forgery of documents; and that Ahmet Şahin provided exam questions to certain individuals and acted in concert with Gündoğdu.

While former MHK Member Yunus Yıldırım faces charges of mobbing and unlawful acquisition of personal data, it was stated that Ferdi Karadoruk faces charges of obscenity and breach of trust, in addition to the allegation of applying pressure on referees and observers who are not members of the association. These allegations are part of the investigation, and there is no finalized judicial decision regarding the suspects.

Another leg of the investigation concerns the rules examination held at the TFF's Riva facilities in 2025. According to the allegations, the exam questions and evaluation grades were interfered with from the outside, some results were changed, and certain individuals were provided with advantages. It is stated that allegations regarding referee classifications, match assignments, scoring, and appointment processes are also being examined within the scope of the file.

News Source: 12punto