Incredible scenes in Turkey: After the final whistle of the first division match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor (1:1), the Ankaragücü club boss, Faruk Koca, ran onto the field and hit referee Halil Umut Meler in the face with his fist. As the referee lay on the ground, two other men kicked him in the head.
A pack immediately formed and other officials and players rushed to protect Meler. In the end he was able to stand up himself and was then supported by helpers. The consequences: Meler was taken to hospital with head injuries and a bruise under his eye.
Club boss Koca and his accomplices were arrested and investigations are ongoing. This was announced by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya (55) and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç (52). It is not yet known why the scandal scene even occurred.
As Turkish media report, the referees do not want to play any more league games this week. The broadcaster “BeIN Sports” reported that the Turkish association will hold a special meeting.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (69) condemned the attack at X: “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to find its way into Turkish sport.”
