The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended all leagues in the country after Ankaragucu’s president Faruk Koca punched the referee in the face at the end of their Super Lig home match against Rizespor.
Koca entered the field and punched the referee Halil Umut Meler after the final whistle.
Before the final whistle, Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equaliser to get a draw in the match at Eryaman Stadium on Monday.
The referee was also kicked when he fell in the chaos that followed the invasion of the pitch by Ankaragucu fans.
The federation in a post on X, formerly Twitter said, “We strongly condemn the inhumane and despicable attack against the FIFA licensed referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, by self-aware criminals after the Super League match played between MKE ANKARAGÜCÜ and ÇAYKUR RIZESPOR on Monday, 11.12.2023.
“We are following Halil Umut Meler’s health condition closely and wish a speedy recovery to our valuable referee.
“Today, this vile attack was not only made against Halil Umut Meler. Today, this inhumane and despicable attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish football. Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime.
“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today. Anyone who constantly brings up some events that happened years ago as if they happened today is responsible for this ugliness.
“In coordination with our State, all the criminal proceedings they deserve have begun to be implemented against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack. The responsible club, the club president, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way.
“By the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”
Also, the Central Arbitration Board said, “We strongly condemn and curse the attack against our valuable referee Halil Umut Meler in the MKE Ankaragücü – Çaykur Rizespor match played at Eryaman Stadium on 11.12.2023. This attack was made not only on our referees, but also on Turkish football.
“As the Central Referee Board, we express that we stand by our referee until the end. We declare that we will follow the legal and administrative process closely and follow up the incident in order to punish all those responsible for causing this incident in the most severe way.”
The Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya in a post on X also said, “I strongly condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match.
https://x.com/aliyerlikaya/
https://x.com/aliyerlikaya/
“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.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted: “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”
https://x.com/rterdogan/