Turkish authorities have arrested the head of the country’s football refereeing body, Ferhat Gündoğdu, along with six other individuals as part of an investigation into alleged fraud and irregularities in the management of football officiating.

The arrests were carried out during coordinated operations across several provinces, with investigators examining claims of interference in key refereeing processes, including referee classifications, match appointments, performance evaluations and rules examinations.

According to Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, searches were conducted at the homes and workplaces of the suspects as part of the ongoing investigation.

Authorities said the probe is focused on allegations that certain individuals may have manipulated or improperly influenced critical decisions within the country’s refereeing system.

The arrests come amid broader efforts by Turkish football authorities to address integrity concerns within the sport. In 2025, the Turkish Football Federation suspended 149 referees following investigations into illegal betting activities, while audits reportedly found hundreds of referees linked to betting accounts.

Officials have not yet announced formal convictions, and the suspects remain under investigation as legal proceedings continue.

The Justice Ministry said the government remains committed to ensuring accountability and transparency within Turkish football and would pursue all allegations of misconduct through the legal process.

The latest arrests have intensified scrutiny of governance and integrity issues within Turkish football, with authorities pledging further action where evidence of wrongdoing is established.