4 members of Türkiye’s Court of Cassation resign from Turkish Football Federation

In a significant shake-up, four members of Türkiye’s Court of Cassation have resigned from their positions within the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). Among the departures is the notable figure of Ridvan Gundogdu, who served as both the TFF Ethics Committee Chairman and the Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation.

The wave of resignations followed an interview by TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu on a private broadcast channel. Haciosmanoglu’s remarks appeared to trigger the unexpected exits.

In his interview, Haciosmanoglu made pointed comments about the Ethics Committee and its chairman. “We have an Ethics Committee Chairman; I don’t know him personally, only spoke twice on the phone. He’s the Deputy Chief Public Prosecutor of the Court of Cassation. There’s this tradition. Our President of the Court of Cassation says, ‘You can’t participate.’ I called, he didn’t return my call. We want to manage Turkish football fairly and justly,” he said.

Haciosmanoglu further criticized the customary practice of appointing members from such institutions to TFF committees, expressing frustration over perceived interference. “I wasn’t elected like you, with 50-60 rounds. It started at 10, ended at 7 in the evening. Why don’t you allow our Deputy Chief Prosecutor? I’m curious about the answer. We didn’t appoint him because he’s someone’s man, but to manage Turkish football competently and fairly. We’ll expose those who oppose. Those who are against justice are not with us,” he asserted.

The resignations have left the TFF and the broader football community in Türkiye grappling with the implications of these high-profile departures, as questions arise about the future governance and integrity of the sport in the country.