Ferhat Gündoğdu resigns as MHK chair amid continuing investigation

The Turkish Football Federation announced on 4 October 2026 that Ferhat Gündoğdu had submitted his resignation as chair of its Central Refereeing Committee, known as the MHK. The federation said his written notice referred to the continuing investigation and the need for both the judicial process and the committee’s work to proceed.

Anadolu Agency reported a statement from his lawyers saying the resignation took effect on 3 October. The distinction matters: 3 October is the effective date cited by the defence, while 4 October is the date of the federation’s public confirmation.

TRT Haber reported on 3 October that a judge had ordered Gündoğdu and four other suspects to be held in pre-trial detention in the investigation publicly described as the referees’ case. That procedural decision does not establish guilt or amount to a conviction.

In the statement carried by Anadolu Agency, his lawyers said detention requests concerning alleged abuse of office and threats had been rejected, while detention had been ordered in relation to the alleged recording of personal data. They expressed confidence in his innocence and said they were following the proceedings. These are the defence’s account and position, rather than a final judicial determination.

TRT Haber separately reported that TFF was working to constitute a new MHK. Pending those appointments, Hikmet Öksüzoğlu and committee members Ali Zağlı, Kamil Abitoğlu, İbrahim Çınar and Ziya Çetin were assigned responsibility for referee appointments for the 6–8 October Turkish Cup fixtures. The resignation, interim arrangements and criminal proceedings are distinct developments.