Ankaragucu’s Faruk Koca entered the sphere and hit referee Halil Meler within the face after the Tremendous Lig match in opposition to Rizespor resulted in a late 1-1 draw.
The Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) has suspended all leagues on a “evening of disgrace” for the nation’s soccer after Ankaragucu’s president Faruk Koca punched the referee within the face on the finish of their Tremendous Lig dwelling match in opposition to Rizespor.
Koca entered the sphere and hit referee Halil Umut Meler when the ultimate whistle blew after Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equaliser within the 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium on Monday, footage from state broadcaster TRT confirmed.
Ankaragucu followers invaded the pitch after the sport and Meler was additionally kicked when he fell, although it was unclear who his assailants have been. Meler finally made it to the dressing room with the assistance of the police.
“The Turkish Soccer Federation has determined to droop all matches in all leagues indefinitely,” the federation posted on X, previously often called Twitter.
“The associated membership, the membership chairman, membership officers and all these responsible of attacking referee Umut Meler can be punished within the strongest phrases potential.”
A detention order has been issued for Koca, Minister of Inside Ali Yerlikaya mentioned in a put up on X, including that two folks have already been detained as a part of a judicial investigation into the incident.
“Turkish soccer has been punched shamefully tonight. Everybody concerned on this incident pays the value,” TFF Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi mentioned, in keeping with TRT.
‘Despicable assault’
In line with Turkish media, each Meler and Koca have been subsequently taken to hospital, with Koca below guard and anticipated to be detained following remedy.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted in Turkish media condemning the assault because the TFF swiftly introduced the suspension.
“By the choice of the TFF Board of Administrators, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”
The TFF blamed the “despicable assault” on a years-long poisonous tradition in the direction of referees that it mentioned had been fostered by many gamers and membership officers.
President Erdogan mentioned in an announcement: “I condemn the assault on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragucu-Caykur Rizespor match performed this night, and I want him a speedy restoration.
“Sports activities means peace and brotherhood. Sports activities are incompatible with violence. We are going to by no means permit violence to happen in Turkish sports activities.”
A FIFA referee since 2017, 37-year-old Meler took cost of Lazio’s Champions League group sport with Celtic on November 28.
Referees in Turkey are sometimes criticised by membership managers and presidents for his or her selections however are hardly ever the goal of violent assaults.
Ankaragucu are eleventh within the standings on 18 factors, three locations under Rizespor on 22 factors after 15 matches.
