A referees’ chief has been arrested in a corruption investigation as authorities examine allegations surrounding football officiating.
This comes a few days after the football world was rocked by major controversy, with Manchester City’s financial case dominating discussion across the sport.
An independent tribunal reportedly found City guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League charges following a long-running investigation into their finances.
The alleged breaches cover several seasons and include accusations involving sponsorship revenue, financial information and the club’s cooperation with the investigation.
Manchester City have consistently denied wrongdoing, while the process surrounding possible sanctions and an appeal remains unresolved.
However, English football is not alone in facing serious questions over governance and integrity.
A separate scandal has now emerged in Turkey, where authorities have launched an investigation concerning the country’s refereeing system.
According to BBC Sport, Turkish referees’ chief Ferhat Gundogdu has been arrested as part of a police investigation into corruption.
Gundogdu, who heads Turkey’s refereeing body, was detained alongside his vice-president and five other people.
Turkish justice minister Akin Gurlek said investigators are examining claims of interference involving referee classifications, assignments, scoring and appointment procedures.
Authorities are also investigating alleged interference concerning examinations covering refereeing rules.
Police searched homes, workplaces and offices during the operation as authorities continued their investigation into the allegations.
The latest development follows another major controversy surrounding refereeing in Turkey during 2025.
The Turkish Football Federation suspended 149 referees and assistant referees in November after an investigation discovered hundreds of professional officials had betting accounts.
Authorities also arrested 29 people during that wider scandal, including 14 footballers.
However, Gurlek did not establish any connection between the previous betting investigation and the current corruption case.
The distinction remains important because the latest investigation centres on alleged interference within referee administration and appointment processes.
Gurlek said Turkish authorities would continue pursuing what he described as “clean football” while investigating allegations capable of damaging trust in the sport.
Gundogdu’s arrest therefore brings another major integrity investigation into focus at a time when Manchester City’s financial case has already placed football governance under intense scrutiny.
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