Turkish football is set to resume next week after the game was suspended in all competitions earlier this week following an attack on a referee.
Media outlets labeled Monday evening a 'night of shame' – as MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched a vicious attack on Halil Umut Meler after his side drew 1-1 with Caykur Rizespor in the Super Lig.
After the club's chairman punched him in the face at the final whistle, he was also kicked in the head as he lay on the ground as chaos unfolded around him.
Meler was pictured battered and bruised in hospital on Tuesday and wearing a neck brace, but after a series of additional tests he was discharged on Wednesday morning.
Following the match official's release from hospital, it was announced later on Wednesday that competitive football could resume across Turkey.
Halil Umut Meler was sent to the ground after Faruk Koca's punch and suffered a black eye
A group of players, officials and security guards formed a protective group around Meler, who was seen with a swollen eye shortly after the shocking attack.
Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game
Your browser does not support iframes.
'We have decided to postpone the matches in all competitions. All competitions will restart on Tuesday, December 19,” said Mehmet Buyukeksi, president of the Turkish Football Association.
He added: “The main mission of all of us is to keep football above all else and protect it as an area where all stakeholders feel safe. In this attitude there is no room for violence.
'What happened in the Ankaragücü – Rizespor match is completely unacceptable.
“We remind you that we will adopt a zero-tolerance policy in such incidents, both on and off the pitch, and will not allow attacks or disproportionate pressure on our referees, who are an important part of the game.”
The Turkish FA chairman also provided an update on Meler, claiming the official was 'getting better'.
He was discharged with reported swelling and a small fracture, as photos showed him waving to a crowd gathered outside the hospital entrance while he still had a black eye on his left side.
Fans also entered the field after Rizespor scored an equalizer seven minutes into eight minutes of stoppage time, prompting police to escort the referee to safety.
Nihat Uludag, director of CNN Türk Istanbul News, spoke on air about how two of those arrested for kicking the referee in the head gained access to the match through VIP tickets. Both fans are said to be 'known' to the club as they are now the subject of police investigation.
Meler tried to protect his face after the blow as other people kicked him to the ground
Despite being on the receiving end of the attack, Turkish media reported that Meler told police, “Thank you, it's my fault” as he left. It was not immediately clear whether Meler apologized for the long stoppage time or for sending off two players.
Koca – who is said to have heart problems – was also hospitalized as a precaution but would later be taken into custody after treatment, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
The Turkish Football Association quickly announced it would suspend all league matches indefinitely after an emergency meeting to discuss the violence.
“This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football,” federation chief Buyukeksi said after the meeting earlier this week.
“We say enough is enough,” he added, urging that all those involved in the violence be punished.
While in the hospital, Meler received Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a visitor from his bed on Tuesday.
“We would like to thank our Ministers of Justice, Home Affairs, Youth and Sport for their quick action following the incident,” the association president continued on Wednesday.
“We have taken action by reforming Turkish football in a short time. Just as we were united that day, we must be united today. The Legal Advice Bureau made the referrals. The TFF disciplinary board will announce its decision on Thursday.'
It was also confirmed that the matches taking place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week will be moved to the week of January 10.
MORE TO FOLLOW.