Turkish Super Lig referee Yasin Kol detained in match-fixing probe

October 2, 2026 at 12:31 AM2 min

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Turkish Super Lig referee Yasin Kol and assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel were detained on charges including illegal betting and forgery. The detentions stem from an Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's investigation into the Turkish Football Federation's refereeing committee. Kol was taken into custody after officiating a friendly between Trabzonspor and Drogheda United.

Key Facts

Yasin Kol and Göktuğ Hazar Erel were detained on suspicion of violating Law No. 7258 (illegal betting), participating in document forgery, and abuse of office.
The detentions followed analysis of digital materials seized from previously detained suspects and detailed review of MASAK (Financial Crimes Investigation Board) records.
Kol officiated a friendly match between Trabzonspor and Drogheda United at Papara Park on the day of his detention.
The investigation previously led to the detention of MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and six other refereeing officials in Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ, and Manisa.
Referee Arda Kardeşler is scheduled to give a statement at Bursa Police Financial Crimes Department tomorrow.

Detention of Referees

Super Lig referee Yasin Kol and assistant referee Göktuğ Hazar Erel were taken into custody by Istanbul police. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated the detentions were based on suspicion of violating Law No. 7258, participating in document forgery, and abuse of office. Kol was detained after officiating the Trabzonspor–Drogheda United friendly at Papara Park. The suspects were taken to the police station for processing.

Investigation Background

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched the 'Referees file' investigation into allegations of torture, forgery of official documents, breach of trust, and unlawful acquisition of personal data. Open-source research, MASAK and HTS analyses, complainant and witness statements, and expert findings indicated possible links between MHK President Ferhat Gündoğdu and several referees and observers. Operations in Istanbul, Ankara, Elazığ, and Manisa led to the detention of Gündoğdu, TFF Active Referees Association President Ferdi Karadoruk, former MHK Deputy Chairman Ahmet Şahin, former MHK member Yunus Yıldırım, TFF Training and 4th Region Officer Sebahattin Şahin, and two other officials.

Kol's Recent Derby Matches

Yasin Kol officiated five derby matches over the last two seasons. These included Beşiktaş 2–1 Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe 0–1 Beşiktaş in 2024–25, and Fenerbahçe 1–1 Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe 1–0 Beşiktaş, and Galatasaray 3–0 Fenerbahçe in 2025–26. He had not officiated a derby before the 2024–25 season.