New resignations add pressure on Turkish Football Federation

Secretary General Abdullah Ayaz and VAR coordinator Yaşar Kemal Uğurlu have left the federation amid an investigation into alleged misconduct in referee administration.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said Abdullah Ayaz submitted his resignation on October 5. The federation announced his departure on October 7. Ayaz is the nephew of TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu. The former secretary general told Turkish media that his decision was unrelated to the current scandal and had been known to the president.

Yaşar Kemal Uğurlu, who was responsible for VAR appointments, was reported to have resigned on October 8. Journalist Tahir Kum said on HT Spor that the federation had accepted his departure. Uğurlu attributed his decision to psychological fatigue over recent events and said he was following the investigation.

The inquiry concerns alleged irregularities in the management of referees. Investigators are examining possible unlawful use of personal data and forgery of official documents. Central Referees Committee chairman Ferhat Gündoğdu and four other suspects were remanded in custody, while two were released under judicial supervision. The allegations do not establish guilt.

An extraordinary meeting of the TFF executive committee was scheduled for October 9. The two departures add to the fallout from an investigation that has reached the leadership of the refereeing structure.