Turkish football league halted, club president arrested for referee attack

Turkish Football Federation (TFF) President Mehmet Büyükekşi announced that all league matches have been suspended indefinitely following an attack on referee Halil Umut Meler by MKE Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca after the match between MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor.

“We strongly condemn the inhumane and vicious assault against FIFA referee Halil Umut Meler. With the decision of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Football Federation, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely,” Büyükekşi stated in a statement on December 12.

MKE Ankaragücü Club President Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler, following the match between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor, which concluded in a 1-1 tie in the 15th week of the Trendyol Super League.

After the blow knocked Meler on the ground, many people were seen striking him before security personnel stepped in to shield him.

The international referee, who is 37 years old, was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

TFF President Büyükekşi stated that Halil Umut Beler has a small fracture in his cheekbone and that they will release an announcement on the leagues’ resumption date in the next few days.

The club president arrested

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated that a criminal investigation was initiated on 6 people and 3 of them were arrested including Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca.

In a written statement, Tunç stated that an investigation was initiated by Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against all suspects involved in the violence against the referee and the fans who went on the field after the match, for “violating the Law No. 6222 on Prevention of Violence and Irregularity in Sports” and “injuring a public official due to the public duty he fulfills”.

“Within the scope of the investigation initiated by Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, suspects F. K., Ş. Y. Ş. and K. Ç. were arrested by Ankara West Criminal Judicature of Peace on Duty following their statements taken by Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for the crime of injuring a public official in a sports field,” Tunç’s statement read.

Erdoğan condemned

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also condemned the attack in a post on his social media account and said, “We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”

“I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match played this evening and wish him a speedy recovery. Sports promote peace and fraternity. Violence and sport are irreconcilable. “Violence will never be tolerated in Turkish sports,” he said.

Following the event, MKE Ankaragücü’s president, Faruk Koca, rushed to the hospital with what appeared to be a heart attack and will be monitored for the next 24 hours.

Koca’s physician Prof. Dr. Erdoğan İlkay said that Koca went to the hospital with high blood pressure and chest pain and he will be under observation in hospital.