Turkish referee punched by soccer club president; nationwide matches halted

The president of a Turkish soccer club punched a referee in the face after a game on Monday — an incident that prompted the Turkish Football Federation to postpone matches across the country “indefinitely.”

Faruk Koca, the president of Turkey’s Ankaragucu club, knocked referee Halil Umut Meler to the ground with a punch as chaos erupted inside Ankara’s Eryaman Stadium. Video footage showed Meler covering his face as fans and officials swarmed the pitch. In the footage, Meler appears to take blows from others as he lies on the ground. Meler’s injuries reportedly included a minor fracture.

“This attack is a night of shame for Turkish football,” said Mehmet Buyukeksi, the president of the Turkish Football Federation.

In a statement, the organization called the attack on Meler “inhumane and despicable,” and said matches in all leagues would be halted.

Turkey’s Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Monday that an arrest had been issued following the incident, while Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said at least two individuals had been detained.

“The responsible club, the Club President, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way,” the Turkish Football Federation said, adding that it was closely monitoring Meler’s health condition.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the attack. “Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence,” he said Monday. “We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,” he said on X, formerly Twitter.

The circumstances leading up to the incident remain unclear. Meler gave a red card to two players — one from each team — during the game between Ankaragucu and Rizespor. A goal from Rizespor in the 97th minute, during added injury time, resulted in a 1-1 draw.

In a video shared to X, formerly Twitter, Yerlikaya shared a video of Meler, lying in a hospital bed and wearing a neck brace. He said the referee was receiving treatment after the “disgusting attack.”

Dün akşam MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor karşılaşmasının sonunda menfur bir saldırıya uğrayan hakemimiz Halil Umut Meler’i tedavi gördüğü hastanede ziyaret ettik.

Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın @RTErdogan hakemimizle telefonda görüşüp, geçmiş olsun dileklerinde bulundu.

Hakemimize,… pic.twitter.com/ASs4LHdSKX

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) December 12, 2023

“There is no life threat for the moment,” Mehmet Yorubulut, told the BBC as he spoke about Meler’s condition. “He only has bleeding around his left eye and a small fracture.”

Koca, who threw the punch, was also reportedly taken to hospital following the incident, according to local media.

Koca’s club Ankaragucu said it was “saddened” by the actions of its president and apologized to “the Turkish football public and the entire sports community.”

Amar Nadhir contributed to this report.