Disgraceful scenes as referee in Turkish top-flight football match is BATTERED to the floor by home team’s President then kicked in the head as he lies prone – after rivals scored a 97th minute equaliser: Attacker is under police guard in hospital
The chairman of a top Turkish football club has sparked outrage after he jumped onto the pitch and punched a referee in the face after a full-time draw.
In shocking scenes condemned on social media, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched a vicious attack on match official Halil Umut Meler moments after his side drew 1-1 against Rizespor.
Horrific footage shows Koca's fist hitting the referee's cheek just below his eye, causing the referee to fall to the ground before others then slam him with a series of kicks as he curls up on the ground and covers his face.
A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security quickly rushed to the scene and stopped the attack, eventually helping the shocked Meler to his feet. After he was led away, he was seen with a swollen eye.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that Koca was being treated in hospital under the supervision of security forces and was subject to detention procedures.
The moment Faruk Koca's fist hits referee Halil Umut Meler's face after a Turkish Super Lig match on Monday
The chairman of Turkish Super Lig club Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, punched a referee in the face
Halil Umut Meler was sent to the ground after the blow and suffered a black eye
Meler fell to the ground after being hit by Koca after the 1-1 match
Koca stormed onto the pitch after his side's 1-1 draw against Rizespor and attacked the referee
Meler tried to protect his face after the blow as other people kicked him to the ground
BeIN Sports, the official broadcaster of the Super Lig, reported shortly after the incident that the Turkish Football Association had decided to hold an extraordinary meeting.
Monday evening's top match ended in a 1-1 draw. Ankaragucu was ready to win the match after scoring an early goal.
However, a final goal from visitors Rizespor in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match ensured the match ended in a draw – and a shocking turn of violence.
Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said a judicial investigation has been launched “against those responsible” for the unprovoked attack.
Tunc said Ankara police were tasked with identifying suspects.
“We are following this sad incident,” Yerlikaya added.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has decided to hold an extraordinary meeting in response to the problems, state broadcaster TRT said.
“Turkish football suffered a shameful blow tonight. Everyone involved in this incident will pay the price,” TFF chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said, according to TRT.
Ankaragucu, meanwhile, has apologized to football fans for what it called the “sad incident” that happened after the match.
In a statement on
'We apologize to the Turkish football public and the entire sporting community for the sad incident that took place after the Çaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.'
Olimpiu Morutan opened the scoring in the 14th minute before drama struck, with hosts Ankaragucu reduced to 10 men after Ali Sowe's second-half dismissal.
Emirhan Topcu was also sent off for Rizespor in the 95th minute, although the visitors scored an equalizer through Adolfo Gaich on the eve of the final whistle.
A linesman rushes in to assist referee Halil Umut Meler after being knocked to the ground by Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca
A group of players, officials and security guards formed a protective huddle around Meler, who was seen with a swollen eye in the moments after the attack.
Koca was visibly furious after the match and will be arrested by the police after treatment
Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game
The attack was condemned by Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Askin Bak.
Bak wrote on
“We do not want to see these images on our fields, which do not match the spirit of the sport and Turkish football.”
Meler has been a FIFA referee since 2017, reports AFP news agency. Officials in Turkey are often criticized by club managers and presidents for their decisions, but rarely face violence.
Koca, 59, has been president of Ankaragucu since 2021. In October 2022, he received the Fair Play manager of the month award.
Fenerbahce and Turkish international footballer Umut Nayir responded to the ugly scenes on his social media account.
“A mentality that sees itself as right regardless of what is said or done to the referee has surrounded us,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“With your pressure day after day together, you have destroyed the most vulnerable factor in football. You place the burden of your failures on them. You should be ashamed.
“I'm ashamed of the situation you've put us in.”
Ankaragucu are eleventh in the Super Lig with 18 points, three places lower than Rizespor with 22 points after 15 games.