Attack on referee - League matches in Turkey suspended until December 19
Following the brutal attack on referee Halil Umut Meler during a first division match in Turkey, all league matches are to be suspended until December 19. This was announced by the head of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Mehmet Büyükeksi.
The Turkish government is also evaluating changes to the law, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on the X platform.
There were violent scenes after the match on Monday evening. The president of the Ankaragücü club, Faruk Koca, hit Meler in the face with his fist after the final whistle, as can be seen on videos. Meler then went to the ground and others involved kicked him. Rizespor had scored the 1-1 equalizer in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Koca resigned on Tuesday evening. According to the state agency, Koca's successor will be Ismail Mert Firat.
According to the media, Meler later said that Koca had threatened to kill him. The incident had caused great outrage beyond Turkey's borders. Former star referee Pierluigi Collina and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, among others, strongly condemned the attack. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the attack.
In the past, Koca was a member of parliament for Erdogan's party. An arrest warrant was issued against club boss Koca and other suspects on Tuesday, including for "injuring a public servant". Numerous athletes and politicians condemned the scenes from the league match.
Meanwhile, the injured referee was released from hospital. He suffered injuries to his eye and head trauma, said the doctor treating him.
Read also:
- NFL kicker out injured, then something unbelievable happens!
- Taylor Swift talks about love for her NFL star
- Crazy victory in the NFL top game
- NFL star breaks referee's leg
Source: www.stern.de
