2023-12-12 03:02:00
2023-12-11
A referee of a Turkish first division match was beaten this Monday by several men, including the president of the Ankaragücü club, a serious incident that caused the suspension of the championship until further notice.
According to images shown live on television, the Ankara club’s manager, Faruk Koca, rushed onto the pitch at the end of the match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor before punching the match referee in the face. Halil Umut Meler.
With a black eye and kicked to the ground: this is how the referee was left following being hit by the president and players of a Turkish team
Rizespor had just tied (1-1) in added time at Ankaragücü, who had had a goal disallowed earlier in the match.
Once knocked to the ground, the referee tried to protect himself but was kicked several times, delivered by at least two other men, presumably members of the home team. According to Turkish media, Halil Umut Meler, with his left eye affected, was taken to a hospital.
The Turkish Minister of the Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, announced on the social network X the arrest of three men, including the president of Ankaragücü.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decided shortly following “the ‘sine die’ postponement” of all championship matches.
Proof of the dimension acquired by this act of violence, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reacted. “I condemn the attack once morest Halil Umut Meler (…) We will never allow violence to interfere in Turkish sport,” he said.
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Denouncing a “black night” for football in this country, the Turkish Referees Association wrote in a statement: “We believe, or want to believe, that those responsible for Turkish football and Turkish justice will take all necessary criminal measures.”
“We apologize to the fans (…) and to the entire sports community for this sad incident,” Ankaragücü stated, for its part.
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