The president of a TURKISH football club has been arrested after he HIT a referee and left him in hospital for treatment for a fractured eye socket.
Turkish Football Association president Mehmet Buyukeksi later confirmed that all matches in the country had been postponed indefinitely following the shocking scenes.
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Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca hit the referee at full-time on Monday nightCredit: Getty
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Referee Halil Umut Meler fell to the ground after being punched by the head of the Turkish clubCredit: Getty
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The official was then shamefully kicked as he lay on the ground
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Meler already had a large bruise on his eye as he was escorted off the field by securityCredit: Getty
The embarrassing incident happened on Monday after Ankaragucu’s 1-1 draw against Rizespor in the Turkish Super League – the country’s top league.
Olimpia Morutan broke the home team after only 14 minutes.
Rizespor took a point when Adolfo Gaich equalized.
The ill-tempered clash also included two red cards, with Ankaragucu’s Ali Sowe and Rizespor’s Emirhan Topcu given their marching orders.
More trouble followed after the match ended when referee Halil Umut Meler, 37, confronted Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca.
Explosive footage shows him punching an unsuspecting official.
Meler fell to the floor after being hit, and was then forced to shield his face after being viciously kicked by another person.
A group of players, coaching staff and security rushed to the scene to prevent further attack, before a visibly shaken Meller was eventually helped to his feet.
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Meler is pictured in a hospital bed with a neck brace Credit: X / AliYerlikaya
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the judge on TuesdayCredit: X / AliYerlikaya
As he left the field, a huge bruise on his eye was already visible.
Despite this, he could be seen saying “Thanks, it’s my fault” as he walked off the pitch.
The Demiroren news agency later astonishingly quoted Koca as saying: “This incident developed because of the wrong decisions and provocative behavior of the referee. My goal was to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face.
“At that time I slapped the referee in the face. The slap I gave wouldn’t have caused a fracture.
“After my slap, the referee threw himself on the ground. They immediately removed me from the scene because I have a heart patient.”
Meler has since been pictured wearing a neck brace in hospital where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited him today.
The officer was kept overnight, but tests concluded he suffered no permanent damage.
The bleeding around his eye has started to subside, although the broken socket will take time to “heal gradually”.
It is hoped he will be released from hospital on Wednesday, although the “stress of the incident” is said to have raised his blood pressure.
Following the incident, the Turkish Football Association immediately held an emergency meeting before announcing that all football in the country had been suspended indefinitely.
The vile attack was condemned by the Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Askin Bak.
A post on his social media account read: “We do not want to see these images on our pitches, which do not correspond to the spirit of sport and Turkish football.”
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed on Tuesday that Koca had been arrested for “the crime of injuring and threatening a public official in the performance of his public duty”.
In addition to Koča, it is believed that three other people were arrested because of the incident.
Koca, 59, has been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021, and in October 2022 he received the Fair Play Manager of the Month award.
Former Newcastle and Liverpool star Jonjo Shelvey, who joined from Nottingham Forest last summer, played in the game for Rizespor.
As the shocking footage went viral, Fenerbahce’s Turkish international Umut Nayir slammed the disgusting scenes and took aim at the wider issue.
He announced on social networks: “We have been surrounded by a mentality that considers itself correct regardless of what is said or done to the judge.
“You destroyed the most vulnerable factor in football with your pressure, day after day, together. You put the burden of your failures on them. Shame on you.
“I’m ashamed of the situation you’ve put us in.”
The Turkish Football Association made a strong statement about the incident – taking aim at the culture surrounding criticism of officials.
It says: “Irresponsible statements by club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators aimed at referees paved the way for this heinous attack today.
“In coordination with our country, all the criminal procedures that deserve to be carried out against those responsible and those who ordered this inhumane attack began to be carried out.
“The responsible club, its president, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Meler will be severely punished.
“By the decision of the TFF Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”
Meler is one of the best Turkish referees and is on FIFA’s international list as well as on UEFA’s elite list of referees.
Reports in the country claim that he recently became a father and his wife gave birth last week.
His fellow Turkish referee Arda Kardesler said: “Everyone saw what happened last night.
“Our association and MHK have stated that they will support us in any decision we make after the incident and the postponement of the league.
“Right now, our only priority is the health of Halil Umut Meler and the reunification of his family. We stand by Halil Umut Meler.
“Then, when he is well, we will gather as Turkish judges and announce the decisions we will make regarding our future and careers.”
Fifa president Gianni Infantino strongly condemned the incident and called it “totally unacceptable”.
He added that violence “has no place in our sport or society” – before continuing: “Without referees there is no football.
“Referees, players, fans and staff need to be safe in order to enjoy the game and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly enforced and respected at all levels.”
A statement from Uefa’s chief refereeing officer, Roberto Rosetti, read: “Uefa strongly condemns the violent behavior directed at referee Halil Umut Meler in a Turkish domestic league match yesterday.
“Violence and abuse of referees have no place in football and must stop immediately.
“We call on the authorities and responsible disciplinary bodies to take decisive and necessary measures against all those involved in abuse and violence against judges.
“Such unacceptable and disturbing behavior harms the efforts of national associations to recruit referees who are crucial to the running of the game.
“Uefa is deeply committed to the development of refereeing and recently launched the ‘Be a Referee’ campaign to inspire young people to become match officials and support national associations in their referee recruitment initiatives.”
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Koca was arrested after the attackCredit: Getty
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Koca has been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021. Credit: Getty
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Meler reportedly said ‘Thank you, it’s my fault’ as he left the pitch after the attackCredit: Getty
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Source: HIS Education