In the pulsating world of Turkish soccer, Monday night's Super Lig match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor turned into an unsavory spectacle. The referee, Halil Umut Meler, became the unfortunate victim of an unsettling attack, instigated by Ankaragücü president Faruk Koca. Video footage shows Koca landing a punch on Meler's face, while other individuals kicked the grounded referee. The offensive action occurred just seconds after Rizespor equalized with a late goal in the seventh minute of added time.
The Turkish Football Association (TFF) swiftly announced severe disciplinary actions following the brutal attack. All matches across all leagues were temporarily suspended. The TFF vowed to take the harshest measures against the culprits. In their statement, the association pointed out that violent comments fostered by club presidents, managers, coaches, and pundits towards referees had incited this deplorable incident.
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the esteemed President of Turkey, also addressed the disturbing occurrence. Tweeting on social media, Erdoğan condemned the violence and expressed his wishes for Meler's swift recovery, stressing that sports are inherently built on peace and camaraderie, with no room for violent confrontations.
Anadolu News Agency reported that the FIFA Disciplinary Committee was investigating the attack, with potential sanctions against Ankaragücü and their embattled president, Faruk Koca. The incident attracted international attention, with numerous publications expressing their concern over the escalating violence in Turkish football.
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Curiously, additional information reveals that Koca was eventually convicted for his role in the assault and handed a four-year prison sentence. With the attack having taken place on November 11, 2024, the TFF and other authorities imposed heavy penalties on Koca in response to his actions. Regrettably, the club itself did not suffer any significant repercussions apart from the suspension of their president.
Furthermore, the attack lent further weight to the existing concerns regarding referee safety in Turkish football. Consequently, the TFF and other affiliated entities enhanced security protocols and took measures to address safety issues for both players and referees.
