Turkey arrests refereeing head and six others in fraud case

The head of Turkey's football refereeing body, Ferhat Gundogdu, and six other people have been arrested in a corruption investigation. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced this on Tuesday.

"Claims about interference in referee classification, assignments, scoring, and appointments have been looked into," he posted on X.

Those arrested include Gundogdu and his vice-president. Police searched the homes and offices of all the suspects.

"We will continue the fight for clean football so that claims harming trust in Turkish football are clarified and those responsible are held accountable," Gurlek said.

This arrest comes after Turkey's Football Federation suspended 149 referees last year for their alleged role in an illegal betting scandal.

The TFF said on its website, without mentioning the arrests, that it is "working hard" to restore public faith in "clean football."

The TFF added that it is tackling the issue of betting and illegal betting, fully supporting the work of the interior, justice, and youth and sport ministries. The investigation and cooperation process with these ministries is still ongoing.

All documents requested by investigators have been sent in sealed envelopes for fingerprint and DNA analysis, as well as other necessary examinations, according to the TFF.

Newspaper Hurriyet reported that prosecutors believe the suspects influenced referee classifications, exams, and match appointments through document fraud and intimidation.

The investigation started after a formal complaint. Investigators are examining financial audits, phone records, witness testimony, and expert reports.

In last year's referee scandal, a TFF investigation found that 371 of Turkey's 571 referees in professional leagues had betting accounts, and 152 placed bets.

Police arrested 29 people in this scandal, including 14 footballers. One of them was Fenerbahce's international midfielder Mert Hakan Yandaş.

Authorities also suspended more than 1,000 players, including 25 from the first division.