Referee Board (MHK) President Ferhat Gündoğdu resigned from his position on October 3, 2026, following a major judicial investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Gündoğdu stepped down to protect the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) from any damage during the ongoing legal process.
Ferhat Gündoğdu Resigns From MHK Chairmanship
The Istanbul 5th Sulh Ceza Hakimliği evaluated the prosecutor’s demand for Gündoğdu’s arrest under charges of “Misconduct in Office” and “Threat,” rejecting the arrest request for those specific counts. However, according to statements from Gündoğdu’s legal counsel, the court applied the arrest measure under the charge of “Recording Personal Data.” Gündoğdu was initially detained on September 29 alongside several other figures, including MHK former member Sebahattin Şahin and Turkish Association of Active Football Referees and Observers (TFFHGD) Istanbul Branch President Ferdi Karadoruk.
Lawyers for Gündoğdu maintained that his innocence will be proven and that he will regain his freedom soon. Digital materials seized during the investigation revealed an audio recording where Gündoğdu allegedly warned FIFA assistant referee Kerem Ersoy, stating that he could end Ersoy’s refereeing career.
Referees provide statements in the illegal betting investigation
As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Bureau, numerous current and former referees provided statements at the Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Financial Crimes Branch. Active referees including Abdullah Buğra Taşkınsoy, Zorbay Küçük, Ümit Öztürk, and Tugay Kaan Numanoğlu, alongside former referees Deniz Ateş Bitnel and Hüseyin Göçek, gave testimonies as complainants and witnesses.
Gündoğdu defended his past administrative decisions during his police interrogation. Gündoğdu stated that the March 8, 2022, classification decisions—which removed numerous referees and observers mid-season—were requested by the TFF management and backed by the demands of the “Big Four” club presidents. He also defended his phone calls to referees before matches as routine moral support approved by federation leadership.
TFF Appoints Interim Board for Upcoming Matches
Following Gündoğdu’s resignation and the judicial actions against board members, the Turkish Football Federation announced an interim solution for upcoming fixture appointments. While MHK 4th Region Coordinator Sebahattin Şahin was released under judicial control with a foreign travel ban, Gündoğdu remained detained.
To prevent disruption in domestic fixtures, the TFF assigned five members of the existing board to handle referee allocations for the Ziraat Türkiye Kupası matches scheduled for October 6, 7, and 8, 2026. MHK Vice President Hikmet Öksüzoğlu alongside board members Ali Zağlı, Kamil Abitoğlu, İbrahim Çınar, and Ziya Çetin will manage the temporary appointment process until a new Merkez Hakem Kurulu is officially formed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ferhat Gündoğdu resign from the MHK?
Ferhat Gündoğdu resigned on October 3, 2026, to prevent the Turkish Football Federation from being compromised and to protect the judicial process from external interference.
Who is handling referee appointments following the resignations?
The TFF appointed a five-member interim committee consisting of MHK Vice President Hikmet Öksüzoğlu, Ali Zağlı, Kamil Abitoğlu, İbrahim Çınar, and Ziya Çetin to manage match assignments for the October cup fixtures.
Which officials were released under judicial control?
MHK 4th Region Coordinator Sebahattin Şahin and former MHK Vice President Ahmet Şahin were released under judicial control with international travel bans.