ARRESTED MHK PRESIDENT FERHAT GUNDOGDU RESIGNED

Central Referee Board President Ferhat Gundogdu, detained within the scope of the 'Referee file' operation that created a massive shockwave in Turkish football, announced that he left his duty officially. The lawyers of Gundogdu, referred to the courthouse within the framework of the deep investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, made a written statement to the public. The legal team stated that the arrest request in terms of "Abuse of Office" and "Threat" crimes was definitively rejected by the court in the evaluation made by the Istanbul 5th Criminal Court of Peace. However, the court decided to apply an arrest measure for the suspect in terms of the crime of "Recording of Personal Data". The lawyers emphasized that they follow the ongoing judicial process very closely and believe their client is in a complete innocence. The defense stated that the experienced man will regain his freedom soon. Immediately after these developments, a critical separation occurred in the management level of Turkish football. Gundogdu took a radical step in order not to wear out the Turkish Football Federation more before the public during the ongoing investigation process and not to cause any harm to the healthy functioning of the judicial process. The arrested sports man announced that he left his duty as the President of the Central Referee Board as of October 3, 2026. The resignation petition was transmitted rapidly to the federation through his lawyers. Federation officials follow the process silently right now. The entire sports public awaits the final decision of the justice with a great curiosity. Judicial authorities continue to examine all collected evidence with a great meticulousness. Sports clubs follow with concern how this chaotic atmosphere will affect referee assignments in the upcoming weeks. Managers will make an extraordinary effort to protect the system. 

IMAGE: FANATİK