Turkish football is SHUT DOWN after senior referee was punched to the floor by top-flight club’s President
The president of a top-flight Turkish football club has sparked fury after running onto the pitch following a draw and punching a referee in the face – with the domestic game in the country in turmoil after the Super Lig was suspended indefinitely.
In shocking scenes that have been condemned by the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched a vicious attack on match official Halil Umut Meler moments after his side drew 1-1 against Rizespor.
Abhorrent images show Koca’s fist connecting with the referee’s cheek just beneath his left eye, sending the official falling to the ground.
Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.
A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the attack, with the shaken Meler eventually helped to his feet. After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye.
MKE Ankaragücü Kulübü Başkanı Faruk Koca, Çaykur Rizespor maçından sonra hakem Halil Umut Meler’e sahanın içinde yumruk attı.
Hakem Umut Meler yere düştüğünde Koca’nın yanındaki kişiler bu sefer tekme ile vurmaya devam ettiler.
Halil Umut Meler’e yapılan saldırı kabul… pic.twitter.com/Xg72LoAKwt
— Murat AĞIREL (@muratagirel) December 11, 2023
However, the goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match saw the clash conclude in a draw – moments before the shocking twist of violence.
It is not known when matches in the division will resume.
A judicial investigation has been launched ‘against those responsible’ for the unprovoked assault, according to Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc.
Tunc said the Ankara Police Department were tasked with identifying suspects.
Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that Koca was being treated in hospital under the supervision of security forces, with detention procedures to follow.
Yerlikaya later added: ‘I strongly condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragucu-Çaykur Rizespor match.
‘Such incidents are unacceptable on our green fields, which are the ground of peace and friendship. We are following this sad event.
‘I offer my best wishes to our referee Halil Umut Meler, who successfully represents Turkish refereeing abroad.’