After a club president’s violent attack on a referee, the Turkish Football Association (TFF) has suspended the SüperLig and all other leagues indefinitely. The boss of Ankaragücü, Faruk Koca, hit referee Halil Umut Meler in the face with his fist after the 1-1 draw against Rizespor on Monday, giving him a black eye.
After the violent attack on the referee, an arrest warrant was issued against Koca and two other suspects. They are accused of injuring an official, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc wrote on the X platform on Tuesday. “This despicable attack was not only directed against Halil Umut Meler,” wrote the TFF after the incident: “This inhumane and despicable attack was directed against all actors of Turkish football.”
“Strict” sanctions announced
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the scandalous incident in Ankara. “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence,” Erdogan wrote on the short message service X. “We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,” he added.
The association announced the “strictest” sanctions. “In coordination with our state, all appropriate criminal proceedings have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack. (…) By decision of the board of the Turkish Football Association, the games in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely,” it said.
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Rizespor had equalized in the seventh minute of added time before Koca came onto the pitch and attacked Meler. The referee fell to the ground and was punched again amid a scuffle between players, coaches and officials. According to local media, Meler was taken to a hospital due to his injuries.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino strongly condemned the attack. The Swiss president of the world association emphasized in a statement that there is “no place for violence in football”. The events were “completely unacceptable” and had no place in sport or society, said the Valais native.
“Without match officials there is no football. Referees, players, fans and staff need to be safe to enjoy the game. I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels,” emphasized Infantino.
