All Turkish football is SHUT DOWN after attack saw senior referee punched to the floor by top-flight club's President then repeatedly kicked in the head when rivals scored in 97th minute: 'Everyone will pay a price', say sport chiefs

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  • Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca stormed onto the pitch after the final whistle
  • Match referee Halil Umut Meler was punched and kicked by several individuals
  • Have you witnessed abuse of referees? Contact IAKO@dailymail.co.uk 

The president of a top-flight Turkish football club has sparked fury after running onto the pitch following a draw and punching a referee in the face – with the domestic game in the country in turmoil after the Super Lig was suspended indefinitely.

In shocking scenes that have been condemned by the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched a vicious attack on match official Halil Umut Meler moments after his side drew 1-1 against Rizespor.

Abhorrent images show Koca’s fist connecting with the referee’s cheek just beneath his left eye, sending the official falling to the ground.


Others then laid into him with a series of kicks as he curled up on the ground covering his face.

A large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the attack, with the shaken Meler eventually helped to his feet. After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye.

The moment that the fist of Faruk Koca, president of top-flight football club, connects with the face of referee Halil Umut Meler after a Turkish Super Lig match on Monday evening

The moment that the fist of Faruk Koca, president of top-flight football club, connects with the face of referee Halil Umut Meler after a Turkish Super Lig match on Monday evening

Abhorrent scenes started when the president of Ankaragucu punched the referee in the face

Abhorrent scenes started when the president of Ankaragucu punched the referee in the face

The match official was sent crashing to the ground after the punch and sustained a black eye

The match official was sent crashing to the ground after the punch and sustained a black eye

Meler collapsed to the ground after he was struck by Koca after the conclusion of the 1-1 draw

Meler collapsed to the ground after he was struck by Koca after the conclusion of the 1-1 draw

Koca stormed onto the pitch after his side's draw against Rizespor and assaulted the official

Koca stormed onto the pitch after his side’s draw against Rizespor and assaulted the official

Meler looked to protect his face after the punch while other individuals kicked him on the floor

Meler looked to protect his face after the punch while other individuals kicked him on the floor

The scenes were captured from multiple angles by photographers and on the live broadcast of the Turkish Super Lig match – the top flight of Turkish football. 

The match finished 1-1 after Rizespor netted a last-gasp equaliser against Ankaragucu, who had been poised to win the match having scored an early opening goal.

However, the goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match saw the clash conclude in a draw – moments before the shocking twist of violence.

It is not known when matches in the division will resume. 

A judicial investigation has been launched ‘against those responsible’ for the unprovoked assault, according to Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc. 

Tunc said the Ankara Police Department were tasked with identifying suspects.

Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that Koca was being treated in hospital under the supervision of security forces, with detention procedures to follow. 

Yerlikaya later added: ‘I strongly condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragucu-Çaykur Rizespor match. 

‘Such incidents are unacceptable on our green fields, which are the ground of peace and friendship. We are following this sad event.

‘I offer my best wishes to our referee Halil Umut Meler, who successfully represents Turkish refereeing abroad.’

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, added that he condemned the attack and wished the referee a ‘speedy recovery’.

Mr Erdogan added: ‘Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.’

A linesman runs in to assist referee Meler after he is punched to the ground by the president

A linesman runs in to assist referee Meler after he is punched to the ground by the president

Koca could be seen walking away after the confrontation as others tried to speak to him

Koca could be seen walking away after the confrontation as others tried to speak to him

A group of players, officials and security guards formed a protective huddle around Meler, who could be seen sporting a swollen eye in the moments shortly after the shocking attack

A group of players, officials and security guards formed a protective huddle around Meler, who could be seen sporting a swollen eye in the moments shortly after the shocking attack

Turkey’s football federation (TFF) has decided to hold an extraordinary meeting following the trouble, state broadcaster TRT said.

‘Turkish football has been punched shamefully tonight. Everyone involved in this incident will pay the price,’ TFF Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said, according to TRT.

Ankaragucu, meanwhile, has issued an apology to football fans for what it called the ‘sad incident’ that unfolded after the match.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the club said: ‘As MKE Ankaragucu Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that took place this evening. 

‘We apologise to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Çaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.’ 

In its own statement, Rizespor used stronger language, calling for ‘no violence in sports’.

The team said: ‘We strongly condemn the undesirable events that occurred after the Ankaragucu match we played today. 

We convey our wishes to the entire referee community, especially the referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, to get well soon.’

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, though the visitors netted a last-gasp equaliser through Adolfo Gaich on the cusp of the final whistle. 

Koca was visibly furious after the match and is set to be detained by police after treatment

Koca was visibly furious after the match and is set to be detained by police after treatment

The shocking incident was captured and broadcast live as fans tuned in to watch the face-off

The shocking incident was captured and broadcast live as fans tuned in to watch the face-off

Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game

Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game

GET IN TOUCH 

We want to hear from refs who have been abused – or parents who have witnessed atrocious behaviour on the touchline

Email us at: IAKO@dailymail.co.uk

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The attack has been condemned by Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Askin Bak. 

Bak, posting on X, wrote: ‘I strongly condemn the attack on the referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, at the end of the MKE Ankaragucu-Caykur Rizespor match.

‘We do not want to see these images on our fields, which do not suit the spirit of sports and Turkish football.’

Meler has been a Fifa referee since 2017, the AFP news agency reports. Officials in Turkey are often criticised by club managers and presidents for their decisions – but rarely are they on the receiving end of violence. 

Koca, 59, has been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021. He received the Fair Play manager of the month award in October 2022. Fenerbahce and Turkey international footballer Umut Nayir has reacted to the unsightly scenes on his social media account.

Rizespor players leave the field after the incident. The club later posted on X, formerly Twitter

Rizespor players leave the field after the incident. The club later posted on X, formerly Twitter

‘A mentality that considers itself to be right no matter what is said or done to the referee has surrounded us,’ he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

‘You destroyed the most vulnerable factor in football with your pressure, day by day, together. You put the burden of your failures on them. Shame on you. 

‘I’m ashamed of the situation you’ve put us in.’

Ankaragucu are 11th in the Super Lig on 18 points, three places below Rizespor on 22 points after 15 matches. 

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