Turkish club President punches Referee after league game
The president of top-flight Turkish football club Ankaragucu ran onto the field to punch a referee in the face following a 1-1 draw vs Rizespor at Eryaman Stadium on Monday, December 11, 2023.
That crazy moment has left the Turkish top-flight league in turmoil, the Referee, Halil Umut Meler hospitalised and his attacker, Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca in detention.
In the match, visiting Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equaliser to force a draw that left Ankaragucu President angry and poised for a disgraceful show at the full-time whistle.
Ankaragucu President Koca’s punched Meler, his fist connected with the referee’s cheek just beneath his left eye, sending the official falling to the ground.
Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.
A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the attack, with the shaken Meler eventually helped to his feet. After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye.
The ugly incident quickly reached as far as Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was quoted in multiple Turkish media outlets condemning the attack.
“I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragucu-Caykur Rizespor match played this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery,” said Erdoğan.
“Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sports are incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”
The Turkish FA [TFF] chairman, Mehmet Buyukeksi, later confirmed that the Super Lig was “postponed indefinitely” following the violent incident with further action expected on Farut Koca by domestic authorites and maybe FIFA.
The 37-year-old Meler is on Uefa’s elite list and has previously officiated in the Champions League, as well as taking charge of West Ham’s Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar last season.
