- Turkish Super League resumes
- President assaults referee
- Severe punishment expected
The Turkish Super League will recommence on Tuesday following a one-week suspension resulting from a club president’s on-field assault on a referee, who was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday with a swollen eye.
On Monday, after the conclusion of a Super Lig match, Faruk Koca, the president of Ankaragucu, entered the pitch and struck referee Halil Umut Meler in the face. The official was subsequently kicked while sprawled on the rise with his head covered.
The Turkish football federation promptly halted all matches, and Koca was arrested the following day. The federation’s chairman, Mehmet Buyukeksi, announced on Wednesday that league competitions would recommence on December 19. He stated, “Attacks or disproportionate pressure on our referees will never be tolerated.” “This incident must serve as a turning point in Turkish football’s history.”
On Wednesday, Meler was discharged from a hospital in Ankara with a darkened and enlarged eye but no other health complications. Buyukeksi stated that the federation’s disciplinary committee would render a decision regarding Ankaragucu’s status on Thursday.
Aftermath of Referee Assault
The chief physician at Acibadem Hospital, Mehmet Yorubulut, predicted that Meler’s head fracture would recover in due course. He also stated, “The bleeding in Meler’s left eye has nearly ceased entirely.”
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Meler is reportedly cited as telling the police that during the incident, Koca threatened to kill him. Koca, who apologized for his conduct and tendered his resignation as president of Ankaragucu, stated, “Nothing can justify or explain the violence I committed.”
Koca entered the pitch and made contact with Meler at the final siren. This occurred following the equalizer scored by the visiting club, Rizespor, in the 97th minute of the 1-1 draw.
Ankaragucu, its president, club officials, and all others responsible for attacking the referee would be “punished in the harshest terms possible,” according to the federation.
