Police in Türkiye have arrested the head of the country’s football refereeing body and its deputy, as well as five other individuals, following allegations of irregularities, including interference in referee classification, assignment, scoring, and appointment processes. The investigation, initiated based on the allegations of irregularity, specifically concerning alleged interference with referee decisions and rule examinations, aims to restore public trust in Turkish football. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated this Thursday that the arrests occurred in the suspects’ residences, workplaces, and offices. The charges include undermining trust in football, ensuring accountability of those responsible for misconduct, and ensuring that football is defined by sportmanship and effort – a key principle of the game. This follows a previous investigation into allegations of illegal betting and match-fixing that impacted professional soccer leagues, including the suspension of 149 referees and assistant referees last year. Turkish authorities are also cooperating with Italian authorities for the men’s 2032 European Championship hosting.
Source: ESPN Soccer
