Football matches across all leagues in Turkey have been suspended indefinitely by its football association after the president of Ankaragucu punched a referee at the end of a Super Lig game on Monday night.
Ankaragucu played out a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor at the Eryaman Stadium in the Turkish capital of Ankara, with the visitors scoring a 97th-minute equaliser to rescue a point.
After the full-time whistle had blown, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca stormed onto the pitch and punched official Halil Umut Meler in the face, leaving him with a profound lump below his eye.
Ankaragucu supporters invaded the pitch after the match and Meler was kicked after falling to the ground, but it remains unclear at this stage who the alleged attackers were.
Thirty-seven-year-old Meler, who has officiated a number of Champions League games in recent seasons, was taken to hospital to receive treatment, while justice minister Yilmaz Tunc has confirmed that Koca and two other suspects have been formally arrested by police for "injuring a public official".
A statement from the Turkish Football Federation released several hours after full time read: "We are following Halil Umut Meler's health condition closely and wish a speedy recovery to our valuable referee.
Hakem Halil Umut Meler'e Tekmeli Yumruklu Saldırının Yeni Görüntüleri. 3 Saldırgan Böyle Görüntülendi. #halilumutmeler #FarukKoca #emrebelezoglu #futbol #saldiri #skandal #haber #sondakika #Ankaragucu #rizespor #TFFİSTİFA #mehmet pic.twitter.com/uLHghb3JXy
— Turkey Gündem (@Turkey_gundem) December 12, 2023
"This inhumane and despicable attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish Football. Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime.
"The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today.
"In coordination with our state, all criminal proceedings deserved have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.
"The responsible club, the club president, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way.
"By the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely."
Turkey president Recep Erdogan has reacted to the incident, telling Turkish media as quoted by Sky Sports: "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."
MKE Ankaragücü Spor Kulübü olarak bu akşam yaşanan hadisenin üzüntüsü içerisindeyiz.
— MKE Ankaragücü (@Ankaragucu) December 11, 2023
Eryaman Stadyumu'nda karşılaştığımız Çaykur Rizespor karşılaşması sonrası yaşanan üzücü olaydan dolayı Türk futbol kamuoyundan ve tüm spor camiasından özür dileriz. pic.twitter.com/7186i5bFva
Meanwhile, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has condemned the violent acts, adding: "There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field.
"Events following the Turkish Super 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."
Ankaragucu's official account on 'X' released a statement shortly after full time, which read: "As MKE Ankaragucu 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 Caykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium."
According to Turkish news outlet TRT, via Sky Sports, the Turkish Football Federation have decided to hold an 'extraordinary' meeting following the incident.
Ankaragucu sit 11th in the Super Lig table with 18 points from 15 games, four points and three places behind Rizespor in eighth position.
Oliver Thomas
