Incredible scenes in the… Türkiye!
During the first division game between Ankaragücü and Rizespor (1:1) there was a nasty attack on referee Halil Umut Meler (37). After the final whistle of the match, Ankaragücü club boss Faruk Koca (59) ran onto the field and hit the referee in the face with his fist. As the referee lay on the ground, two other men kicked him in the head.
Cowardly beating attack on the referee!
A pack immediately formed, and luckily other officials and players rushed over to protect Meler. In the end he was able to stand up himself and was then supported by helpers.
The consequences: Meler was taken to hospital with head injuries and a bruise under his eye. Club boss Koca and his accomplices were arrested and investigations are ongoing. This was announced by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya (55) and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç (52).
It is not yet clear who, besides club boss Koca, hit the referee. One of the accomplices also wore suit trousers and a jacket, similar to Koca.
Now the referees are on strike!
As Turkish media report, the referees do not want to play any more league games this week. The broadcaster “BeIN Sports” reported that the Turkish association will hold a special meeting.
Then they would have a problem… Are the Bayern stars simply not good enough?
The home team’s statement on We apologize to the Turkish football audience and the entire sports community.”
Erdogan with a statement about the beating attack against referees
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (69) condemned the attack at X: “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to enter Turkish sport.”
German-Turkish ex-professional Nuri Şahin (35), formerly of BVB and currently coach of Antalyaspor, was stunned. He wrote on Instagram: “I condemn the act on our referee Halil Umut Meler from the bottom of my heart and wish him a speedy recovery. I want it to be known that as a footballer I will stand by him until the end in this incident.”
Who is the victim? Referee Halil Umut Meler has been officiating games in the Turkish Süper Lig since 2015. He has been on the FIFA list since 2017 and has also been used in the Champions League. For the second half of the 2021/22 season he was promoted to the category of UEFA elite referees.
How did the game go?
Ankaragücü took the lead in the 14th minute, but weakened itself with a red card (50th). After Rizespor was sent off (90+5), the game seemed decided, but the guests equalized in the seventh (!) minute of added time.
Then there were disgusting scenes…