Revealed: Referee who was PUNCHED by a club president and left hospitalised with a neck brace is set to take charge of England’s last-16 clash against Slovakia at Euro 2024

A Turkish referee who was punched by a club chairman and ended up in hospital as a result of the attack will officiate England’s round of 16 match against Slovakia on Sunday.

The Three Lions will hope to prove their doubters wrong when they take on FIFA’s 45th ranked team at the Arena AufSchalke after a shaky start to their season.

With two draws and one win in the first three games, Gareth Southgate’s team will be hoping for a strong performance on the evening.

The one who will officiate the match will be Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler, who was brutally attacked during a ‘night of shame’ in December.

Six months ago, chaos broke out in Turkish football when MKE Ankaragucu chairman Faruk Koca launched a fierce attack on referee Meler after his team drew 1-1 with Caykur Rizespor in the Super Lig.

In December, Meler was sent to the ground after the blow and suffered a black eye

The Three Lions will look to put in a dominant performance after a disappointing start

Horrific footage showed Koca hitting the referee’s cheek with his fist, just below his left eye, causing him to fall to the ground.

Others then subjected him to a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground and covered his face.

The referee left the pitch saying, “It’s my fault,” and was led away by riot police, after which the country’s football association suspended the entire competition.

Meler was later seen pictured battered, bruised and in a cervical collar in hospital, but after a series of additional tests he was discharged a day later.

The Turkish Football Association’s disciplinary committee also ordered Ankaragucu to play five home games behind closed doors and fined the club 60,000 euros ($66,000).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino denounced the incident, claiming it was “totally unacceptable”, while President Koca spoke out in his own defence, claiming the official had “thrown himself to the ground”.

Turkish President Erdogan also condemned the attack. “Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sports are incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to occur in Turkish sports,” he wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

Meler was visited by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya before being fired

After the attack took place, the Turkish Football Association held an emergency meeting to discuss the violence, with Mehmet Buykeksi, the head of the organisation, stating that the incident was ‘shameful’.

“This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football,” federation president Mehmet Buyukeksi said after the meeting.

“We say enough is enough,” he added. “Anyone who targeted referees and encouraged them to commit crimes is complicit in this despicable attack,” he said.

‘The irresponsible statements made by club chairmen, managers, coaches and television commentators against referees paved the way for this attack.’

Koca, who has been president of Ankaragucu since 2021, confirmed his resignation a few days later in a statement on the club’s website.

The 59-year-old admitted he felt ‘great shame’ for his actions and resigned to ‘avoid further damage to the club’.

“I would like to announce to the public that I have resigned as president of MKE Ankaragucu to prevent further damage to the Ankaragucu club, the Ankaragucu fans, the community I belong to and my family,” Koca said.

“I hope that this incident, which I more than anyone else cannot accept, will be a reason to cleanse our sporting life, and in particular our football community, from mistakes, shortcomings and the culture of violence.

“At the same time, I hope that the structural problems of Turkish football will be discussed more realistically because of this serious incident that I caused.

Less than two days after the incident, Meler was discharged from hospital in Ankara and spoke to reporters to tell them he was doing well despite suffering from several bruises.

‘I would like to take this opportunity to apologize once again to everyone I have angered, especially the Ankaragucu fans.

“I want everyone to know that I am heartbroken that the club I coach, the football community and our country are being commemorated with such an event and image.”

All competitions in Turkey were suspended but resumed after a week-long hiatus.

Meler has been active in the Super Lig since 2015 and oversees international matches.