Attack on Referee: Football League in Turkey Halted – Multiple Arrests Made

Following a violent assault on referee Halil Umut Meler during the Süper Lig match between MKE Ankaragücü and Caykur Rizespor, the Turkish Football Federation has announced the “harshest” penalties and suspended games in all leagues indefinitely. “In coordination with our state, all necessary legal actions have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack. The responsible club, the club president, its managers, and all individuals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be severely punished,” the federation stated.

On Monday evening, chaotic scenes unfolded after the final whistle. The referee was attacked by several individuals, including Ankaragücü President Faruk Koca. Images show Koca punching the referee in the face, causing Meler to fall to the ground, where others continued to kick him. Rizespor had scored the equalizer in the seventh minute of added time. Arrest warrants were issued against Koca and two other suspects, accusing them of assaulting an official, announced Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc on the X platform.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also addressed the incident. “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence in Turkish sports,” Erdogan wrote on the X news platform, wishing the referee a speedy recovery.

The federation also attributed the outbreak of violence to constant criticism of referees: “Anyone who targeted referees and promoted crimes against referees is complicit in this heinous crime. The irresponsible statements made by club presidents, managers, coaches, and television commentators towards referees paved the way for this abhorrent attack.”