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Turkish football refereeing chief detained in corruption probe

Turkish authorities have placed the head of the country's football refereeing body in pretrial detention as part of a widespread corruption investigation. The detention of Ferhat Gundogdu and four other officials follows allegations of manipulation within the referee administration system.

LSN Sri Lanka · 3 October 2026

Ferhat Gundogdu, who heads Turkey's Central Referees Committee, appeared before a judge on corruption charges alongside six others as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct within the country's football administrative structure. A Turkish court ordered the pretrial detention of Gundogdu and four additional officials pending trial, according to state news agency Anadolu.

The investigation centres on allegations of manipulation within the referee administration, though specific details regarding the nature of the alleged misconduct remain limited. The case marks a significant development in Turkish football governance and follows a broader pattern of scrutiny into administrative practices within the sport's governing bodies.

The detention of senior officials responsible for referee oversight raises questions about the integrity of match administration in Turkish football. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is continuing, with further developments expected as the legal proceedings advance through the court system.