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The president of a Turkish football club punched a referee in the face after a match on Monday – an incident that prompted the Turkish Football Association to postpone games across the country “indefinitely”.
Faruk Koca, the president of Turkish club Ankaragucu, knocked referee Halil Umut Meler to the ground with a punch as chaos broke out at Eryaman Stadium in Ankara. Video footage showed Meler covering his face while fans and officials crowded the field. In the footage, it appears Meler is taking punches from others while lying on the ground. Meler's injuries reportedly included a minor fracture.
“This attack is a night of shame for Turkish football,” said Mehmet Buyukeksi, the president of the Turkish Football Association.
In a statement, the organization called the attack on Meler “inhumane and despicable” and said games across all leagues would be suspended.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said on Monday that one arrest had been made following the incident, while Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said at least two people had been arrested had been arrested.
“The responsible club, the club president, its managers and all criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the harshest way,” the Turkish Football Association said, adding that it was closely monitoring Meler's health.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the attack. “Sport means peace and brotherhood. “Sport is incompatible with violence,” he said on Monday. “We will never allow violence to occur in Turkish sport” he said on X, formerly Twitter.
The circumstances that led to the incident remain unclear. Meler gave a red card to two players – one from each team – during the match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor. A goal from Rizespor in the 97th minute in stoppage time resulted in a 1-1 draw.
In a video shared on X, formerly Twitter, Yerlikaya shared a video of Meler lying in a hospital bed and wearing a neck brace. He said the referee was receiving treatment after the “disgusting attack”.
Dün akşam MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor karşılaşmasınının sonunda menfur bir saldırıya uğrayan hakemimiz Halil Umut Meler'i tedavi gördüğü hastaned ziyaret ettik.
Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın @RTErdogan If you make a phone call you will no longer be impressed with the property.
Hakemimize,… pic.twitter.com/ASs4LHdSKX
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) December 12, 2023
“There is no danger to life at the moment,” Mehmet Yorubulut told the BBC when discussing Meler’s condition. “He just has some bleeding around his left eye and a small fracture.”
According to local media, Koca, who delivered the blow, was also taken to a hospital after the incident.
Koca's club Ankaragucu said It said it was “saddened” by its president’s actions and apologized to “the Turkish football public and the entire sports community.”
Amar Nadhir contributed to this report.