Turkish referee punched: Club president arrested over incident as Turkey suspends football
Halil Umut Meler was approached on the pitch and hit by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca following a 1-1 draw in the team's Super Lig clash. The Turkish Football Federation said those responsible "will be punished in the most severe way".
Tuesday 12 December 2023 16:38, UK
Professional football in Turkey has been suspended after a top referee was punched to the ground by a club president at the end of a match in the country's highest league.
Halil Umut Meler was attacked at the final whistle and hit in the face by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, sparking a melee of players and officials either joining the chaos or trying to intervene.
As Meler lay on the ground he was also kicked in the head at least once.
During the game he had sent off one player from each side in the Super Lig clash, before allowing an equaliser for opponents Rizespor in the seventh minute of injury time to force a 1-1 draw.
On Tuesday Turkish minister of justice Yilmaz Tunc said Mr Koca had been arrested "for the crimes of injuring and threatening a public servant due to his public duty".
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) condemned the attack and announced all matches will be suspended indefinitely, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said sports are about "peace and brotherhood".
In a statement, The TFF blamed the incident on a toxic culture towards referees fostered by players and club officials over years.
"The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today," said the TFF.
"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, its president, its managers and all criminals who attacked Meler will be punished in the most severe way.
"By the decision of the TFF Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely."
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Punch might finally jolt the sport into taking serious action
The aggression in Ankara is the footballing flashpoint that had been building.
Rage against referees has been commonplace among fans, managers, players 鈥� and sections of the media.
A culture where tirades and threats seem normalised with limited consequence.
The punch landed by Ankaragucu's president on referee Halil Umut Meler might finally jolt the sport into taking serious action.
When football's lawmakers met last month in London, the dangers facing referees were on the agenda.
"This might be the cancer that kills football," FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina said after the International Football Association Board meeting.
Collina was reflecting the views of Football Association of Wales CEO Noel Mooney on an issue afflicting the game from the top professional levels to the grassroots.
Often it is the highest profile of managers setting the worst of examples.
Jose Mourinho confronted and swore at English referee Anthony Taylor in the car park after the Europa League final earlier this year.
Collina 鈥� a former World Cup referee 鈥� said: "A very strong focus on what has to be done for referees, particularly at the grassroots level or low amateur level from the physical side to verbal abuse which is unfortunately something occurring worldwide.
"It's a problem affecting football everywhere in the world."
But it is a problem without any solutions from football chiefs.
Both Meler and Koca were taken to hospital, according to Turkish media, with Koca under guard and expected to be detained after treatment.
MKE Ankaragucu later issued an apology on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "As MKE Ankaragücü Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that took place this evening.
"We apologise to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Çaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium."
Meler, 37, is on UEFA's elite list and last season took charge of West Ham's Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar.
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President Erdogan said in a statement: "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.
"Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sports are incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: "There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field. Events following the Turkish Süper Lig match between MKE Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor are totally unacceptable and have no place in our sport or society.
"Without match officials there is no football. Referees, players, fans and staff have to be safe and secure to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels."