Disgraceful scenes as referee in Turkish top-flight football match is BATTERED to the floor by home team’s President then kicked in the head as he lies prone – after rivals scored a 97th minute equaliser: Attacker is under police guard in hospital
The president of Turkey’s top club sparked fury after he rushed onto the pitch after a draw and punched the referee in the face.
In shocking scenes that have been condemned by the country’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca brutally attacked match official Halil Umut Meler immediately after his side’s 1-1 draw against Rizespor.
The sickening footage shows Koji’s fist hitting the referee’s cheek just below his left eye, causing the referee to fall to the ground.
The others then struck 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 rushed to the scene and stopped the attack, with a shaken Mehler eventually helped to his feet. After he was taken away, he was seen with a swollen eye.
The moment Faruk Koca’s fist touches the face of referee Halil Umut Meler after a Turkish Super League match on Monday.
President of the Turkish Super League club Ankaragucu Faruk Koca hit the referee in the face
Khalil Umut Meler fell to the ground after being hit and received a black eye.
Mehler collapsed to the ground after being hit by Koca after the match ended 1-1.
Koca burst onto the field after a 1:1 draw with Rizespor and attacked the referee
Mehler tried to protect his face after being hit while other people kicked him on the floor.
The scenes were filmed by photographers from different angles and during a live broadcast of a match in the Turkish Super League, the top division of Turkish football.
The match ended 1-1 after Rizespor scored a last-gasp equalizer against Ankaragucu, who were poised to win the match after scoring an early goal.
However, a goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match saw the match end in a draw – with a shocking turn of violence.
According to Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunç, a judicial investigation has been launched “against those responsible” for the unprovoked attack.
Tunç said the Ankara Police Department was tasked with identifying the suspects.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Koca was being treated in a hospital under the supervision of security forces, after which detention procedures would 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 basis of peace and friendship. We are following this sad event.
“I express my best wishes to our judge Halil Umut Meler, who successfully represents Turkish judging abroad.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan added that he condemned the attack and wished the referee a “speedy recovery.”
Mr Erdogan added: “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never tolerate violence in Turkish sports.”
The linesman rushes to the aid of referee Halil Umut Meler after Ankaragucu President Faruk Koca knocked him down.
Koca was seen walking away after the confrontation as others tried to talk to him.
A group of players, officials and security guards formed a protective group around Mehler, who could be seen with a swollen eye immediately after the attack.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) decided to hold an extraordinary meeting after the incident, state broadcaster TRT reported.
“Turkish football suffered a shameful blow tonight. Everyone involved in this incident will pay for this,” TFF Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said, TRT reported.
Meanwhile, Ankaragucu apologized to football fans for what she called a “sad incident” that occurred after the match.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the club said: “As the MKE Ankaragücü Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that occurred this evening.
“We apologize to the Turkish football community and the entire sports community for the unfortunate incident that occurred after the Çaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.
Rizespor used stronger language in its statement, calling for “no violence in sports.”
The team said: “We strongly condemn the unwanted events that occurred after today’s match against Ankaragucu.
We convey our wishes to the entire refereeing community, especially match referee Halil Umut Meler, for a speedy recovery.”
Olimpiu Morutan opened the scoring in the 14th minute before drama ensued as Ankaragucu were reduced to 10 men after Ali Soue was sent off in the second half.
Emirhan Topcu was also sent off for Rizespor in the 95th minute, although the visitors scored a last-gasp equalizer through Adolfo Gaich before the final whistle.
Koca was visibly furious after the match and will be detained by police after being treated.
The shocking incident was filmed and broadcast live as fans watched a Turkish Super League match.
Rizespor players leave the field after the incident. The club later posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) condemning the attack.
Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop abuse of referees at all levels of the game
The attack was condemned by Youth and Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak.
Buck, in his post on X, wrote: “I strongly condemn the attack on match referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragucu-Kaykur Rizespor match.
“We do not want to see these images on our fields, which do not correspond to the spirit of the sport and Turkish football.”
Mehler has been a FIFA referee since 2017, AFP reports. Club managers and presidents often criticize officials in Turkey for their decisions, but are rarely subject to violence.
Koca, 59, has been Ankaragucu’s president since 2021. In October 2022, he received the Fair Play Manager of the Month award.
Fenerbahçe and Turkish national football player Umut Nayir responded to the ugly scenes on his social network account.
“We are surrounded by a mentality that thinks it is right no matter what the referees say or do,” he wrote in X, previously on Twitter.
“You destroyed the most vulnerable factor in football with your pressure, day in and day out, together. You place the burden of your failures on them. Shame on you.
“I’m ashamed of the situation you put us in.”
Ankaragucu is 11th in the Super League with 18 points, three positions behind Rizespor with 22 points after 15 matches.