December 12, (THEWILL) – All football in Turkiye has been suspended indefinitely after referee Halil Umut Meler was punched and kicked in a despicable attack. The incident occurred after Meler officiated an intense 1-1 draw between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor.
Ankaragücü President, Faruk Koca, stormed the pitch and struck Meler before the referee was kicked by others as he lay on the ground protecting his head. Meler was hospitalised and Turkish authorities have opened criminal investigations.
The Turkish Football Federation condemned the “inhumane and despicable” attack on Meler, one of Turkiye’s most respected referees. TFF says irresponsible comments by club officials and media personalities enabled this crime. Consequently, matches in all leagues are postponed as investigations and punishments are underway.
Ankaragücü apologised, as did Turkiye’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He denounced the violence, saying “sports means peace and brotherhood” and is “incompatible with violence”. Ankaragücü President, Faruk Koca, is being supervised while others have been arrested.
The attack came after Meler awarded Rizespor an injury-time equaliser that infuriated Ankaragücü. Security footage shows Koca sprinting onto the pitch to punch a blind-sided Meler. The referee was hospitalised with facial wounds and a minor skull fracture. Doctors expect a full recovery.
Turkish authorities vow severe punishments for everyone involved, from violent perpetrators to complicit instigators. Football in Turkiye faces an uncertain future as all matches are suspended amid investigations.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
