A referee of a match Turkish first division He received a beating this Monday by several men, including the president of the Ankaragücü club, a serious incident that caused suspension of the championship until further notice.
According to images shown live on television, the Ankara club’s manager, Faruk Koca, rushed onto the pitch at the end of the match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor before punching the match referee in the face. Halil Umut Meler.
The president of the Turkish Football Federation, Mehmet Büyükekşi, announces that all Turkish leagues are postponed indefinitely following the attack suffered today by referee Halil Umut Meler (MediaNews)pic.twitter.com/QSnCtUtnjr
— GRADA B pro (@GradaBpro) December 11, 2023
Rizespor had just tied (1-1) in added time at Ankaragücü, who had previously had a goal disallowed.
Once knocked down to the ground, The referee tried to protect himself but received several kicksinflicted by at least two other men, presumably members of the local team.
According to Turkish media, Halil Umut Meler, with his left eye affected, was taken to a hospital.
He Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikayaannounced on the social network X the arrest of three men, including the president of Ankaragücü.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decided shortly after “the postponement ‘sine die'” of all matches in the championship.
“This vile attack has not only been committed against Halil Umut Meler,” the TFF said. “Today this inhuman and despicable attack has been committed against all interested parties in Turkish football,” he added.
Incompatible with violence
He announced that “in coordination with the State, all the criminal procedures that deserve have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.”
“The club responsible, the president of the club, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler “They will be punished in the most severe manner,” he said.
Proof of the dimension acquired by this act of violence, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reacted. “I condemn the attack against Halil Umut Meler (…) We will never allow violence to interfere in Turkish sport,” he said.
“Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence,” Erdogan wrote on the social network X.
“We will never allow the Violence takes hold in Turkish sport“he added
Denouncing a “black night” for football in this countrythe Turkish Referees Association wrote in a statement: “We believe, or want to believe, that those responsible for Turkish football and Turkish justice will take all necessary criminal measures.”
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“We apologize to the fans (…) and to the entire sports community for this sad incident,” Ankaragücü stated, for its part.
Stars such as Argentine attacker Mauro Icardi, former Manchester United Wilfied Zaha and former Manchester City Edin Dzeko participate in the Turkish league.