Ali Sofuoglu, a Turkish karate athlete and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist, has been banned for two years (March 31, 2025 - March 30, 2027) due to three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period, violating WKF anti-doping rules. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Sofuoglu's request for provisional measures, upholding the ban. All results from October 11, 2023, are disqualified. Damián Quintero stands to gain gold medals from the 2023 World Championships and 2024 European Championships if the sanction is upheld, as Sofuoglu's sanction does not impact the Turkish national team.

The World Karate Federation (WKF) is under scrutiny for statutes that restrict athlete participation in non-WKF sanctioned events, potentially violating EU competition law. Critics argue these rules, enforced through the European Karate Federation, suppress athlete freedom and competition, conflicting with Olympic ideals. The WKF's exclusive recognition by the IOC and its dual role as regulator and commercial operator raise concerns about fairness and abuse of dominance, similar to the International Skating Union (ISU) case, where the EU Commission ruled against restrictive practices.

World Karate Federation President Antonio Espinós expressed optimism about karate's Olympic future under incoming IOC President Kirsty Coventry, despite exclusion from Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028. Espinós aims for inclusion in Brisbane 2032, criticizing the previous IOC presidency and the "opaque" exclusion process for Paris 2024. He highlighted karate's popularity and alignment with Olympic values, citing strong viewership in France during Tokyo 2020.

Multiple national karate federations, including those in France, Mexico, Senegal, and Iran, face serious allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and lack of democratic accountability. France's Minister of Sports is investigating the French Karate Federation, while the National Olympic and Sports Committee refuses to recognize its president due to irregularities. Protests have erupted in Mexico over corruption allegations against Samantha Desciderio Olvera, an executive in the Pan American Karate Federation and WKF Executive Committee member. In Senegal, officials are accused of embezzling athlete bonuses, leading to a formal complaint and recovery of funds. Kosovo saw arrests of senior federation figures, and Iran removed its president due to election irregularities. World Karate Federation president Antonio Espinós, who has led the organization for over 25 years, faces scrutiny for allegedly blocking reforms and consolidating power.

Ali Sofuoglu, a Turkish karate athlete, received a two-year ban for anti-doping violations related to whereabouts failures in May, September, and October 2023. This may result in Damián Quintero, the Spanish athlete who secured silver medals behind Sofuoglu at the Budapest 2023 World Championships and the Zadar 2024 European Championships, being retrospectively awarded gold medals. The ban, effective from March 31, 2025, to March 31, 2027, entails the forfeiture of all medals, points, and prizes obtained since October 2023. The World Karate Federation (WKF) confirmed the sanction, which Sofuoglu has the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) within 21 days. The sanction does not impact the results of the Turkish team.