Istanbul prosecutors take statements from 54 referees in MHK investigation

October 2, 2026 at 01:15 AM2 min

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Istanbul prosecutors have taken statements from 54 current and former referees in an investigation into alleged interference with referee appointment systems. The inquiry focuses on claims that classification lists were altered and the Football Management System was manipulated on management orders. Former referees Taner Gizlenci, Emre Altun, and Süleyman Abay told prosecutors they were removed from lists years after officiating specific matches.

Key Facts

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has taken statements from 54 current and former referees in the investigation into the Central Referee Committee (MHK).
Former referees Taner Gizlenci, Emre Altun, and Süleyman Abay told prosecutors they were removed from classification lists years after officiating specific matches.
Gizlenci and Abay stated that on 8 March 2022, during Ferhat Gündoğdu's tenure as MHK chairman, they were dismissed from referee and observer lists, but were reinstated by the Arbitration Board on 26 March 2022.
The investigation is being conducted by the Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Investigation Scope

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the Central Referee Committee (MHK) for alleged interference with referee appointment systems. The inquiry is led by the Illegal Betting and Sports Crimes Investigation Bureau. A total of 54 current and former referees have given statements as witnesses or complainants. The investigation focuses on claims that classification lists announced before the season were altered shortly after, with many referees and observers removed from the second list.

Referee Testimonies

Taner Gizlenci told prosecutors that after a match he officiated in 2015, he was informed of an expectation to give low marks to referees, but he refused and reported objectively. Gizlenci said he believes his removal from the list years later may be linked to that incident. Emre Altun described an incident during his active refereeing career when the referee team was trapped inside a stadium for hours because the exit was blocked with tables and chairs, requiring police and fire brigade intervention. Altun claimed that years later, referees and observers who worked at certain matches from that period were collectively removed from the classification list. Süleyman Abay stated that after a match he officiated in 2015, criminal complaints alleging FETÖ membership, threats, and blackmail were filed against approximately 20 referees and observers, but the investigation was closed with no findings. Abay claimed that a significant portion of those excluded from the list in 2024 were the same people who officiated matches during that period.

2022 List Changes

Gizlenci and Abay both highlighted 8 March 2022 as a key date, when referee and observer lists were changed during Ferhat Gündoğdu's tenure as MHK chairman. Gizlenci appealed to the Arbitration Board and was reinstated as an observer after a hearing on 26 March 2022. Abay was also reinstated following his appeal to the Arbitration Board. Both testimonies note that Gündoğdu left his position shortly after the Arbitration Board's decision.