A night of disgrace unfolded in Turkish football as Faruk Koca, president of Ankaragucu, stunned the nation by physically assaulting referee Halil Umut Meler after Ankaragucu’s Super Lig match against Rizespor ended in a 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium.
In a disturbing turn of events captured by state broadcaster TRT, Koca ventured onto the field and struck referee Meler in the face as the final whistle blew, moments after Rizespor secured a dramatic 97th-minute equalizer.
The situation spiraled further as Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch post-game, with reports of Meler being kicked amid the chaos, although the identities of his attackers remained unclear. Eventually, with police assistance, Meler managed to reach the dressing room.
Reacting to this appalling incident, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) took a stringent stance, announcing the indefinite suspension of all leagues in a bid to address the crisis. The federation unequivocally pledged to administer severe penalties to the responsible club, its chairman, officials, and all involved in the assault on referee Umut Meler.
An arrest order has been issued for Koca, with Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirming two individuals’ detainment as part of the ongoing judicial investigation into the assault.
Expressing dismay at the disgraceful episode, TFF Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi condemned the violence, affirming that all parties involved would face consequences for tarnishing Turkish football’s image.
Halil Umut Meler, a FIFA referee since 2017, previously officiated Lazio’s Champions League match against Celtic on Nov. 28.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the incident, emphasizing that sports should embody peace and unity, firmly rejecting violence within Turkish sports.
Despite frequent criticisms directed at referees by club managers and presidents, violent attacks against match officials in Turkey remain rare.
In the aftermath of this unsavory event, Ankaragucu currently sits 11th in the standings with 18 points, while Rizespor holds the 8th spot with 22 points after 15 matches.
The shocking assault on the referee has sparked outrage and prompted a swift response from authorities, highlighting the imperative need to uphold the spirit of fair play and respect in football, ensuring the safety and integrity of the sport for all involved.
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