football
- Faruk Koca hits Halil Umut Meler in the face after Rizespor equalized
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack
Agencies
Monday, December 11, 2023, 10:47 p.m. GMT
On Monday night, chaos erupted in a Turkish Süper Lig game when the referee of one of the teams was punched in the head by the president of one of the teams and then kicked in the face as he lay on the ground.
Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca slapped referee Halil Umut Meler in the face at the end of the home game after Rizespor equalized in the 97th minute. Koca entered the pitch and punched the referee as the final whistle sounded in a 1-1 draw at the Eryaman Stadium.
The Turkish league was suspended following the incident. According to local media, both Meler and Koca were subsequently taken to hospital, with Koca under guard and expected to be held following treatment. Before Rizespor equalized, Meler had sent off one player from each team.
The incident quickly reached Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was quoted in Turkish media condemning the attack. “I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the match between MKE Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor this evening and wish him a speedy recovery,” Erdoğan said.
Referee Halil Umut Meler was taken away by police after the incident. Photo: Anadolu/Getty Images
“Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to occur in Turkish sports.” The Turkish Football Association [TFF] Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi later confirmed that the Süper Lig had been “postponed indefinitely” following the violent incident.
Meler, 37, is on UEFA's elite list and has previously officiated in the Champions League, taking charge of West Ham's Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar last season.
Rizespor expressed its support for the referee in a statement, saying: “We strongly condemn the adverse events that occurred after the Ankaragucu game we played today.” “We wish umut to the referee of the game, Halil Meler that he will get well soon.”
“We are saddened by the incident that occurred this evening,” said a club statement from Ankaragucu. “We apologize to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the game.”
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