Published December 12,2023
Subscribe
The president of the Turkish soccer membership MKE Ankaragücü, Faruk Koca, was remanded into custody on Tuesday for punching referee Halil Umut Meler within the face after a Monday league match, the nation’s justice minister mentioned.
Yılmaz Tunc mentioned on X that three suspects, together with Koca, had been remanded by an Ankara courtroom after giving their statements to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office within the Turkish capital.
Tunc mentioned that suspects F. Ok., S.Y.S. and Ok.C. had been remanded for “injuring a public official in a sports field in a way that caused a fracture” as Meler, who was additionally regarded a public official, was performing his responsibility on a soccer pitch.
After an damage time equalizer, 10-man Ankaragücü had been held to a 1-1 draw with guests Caykur Rizespor in a Monday Trendyol Super Lig match.
Following the ultimate whistle, Koca invaded the pitch to punch Meler, a FIFA-licensed referee, in his face. Once the referee fell to the bottom, a number of folks kicked him as nicely.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan beforehand condemned the assault on the referee.
“I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü vs. Caykur Rizespor match played this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery,” he mentioned on X.
“Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,” Erdoğan added.
After the assault, Meler was taken to an Ankara hospital.
The Turkish Football Federation suspended all league matches till additional discover.
Meler, 37, is without doubt one of the UEFA Elite and FIFA referees to officiate a number of matches within the UEFA membership and nationwide staff competitions, together with the top-tier Champions League, in addition to the European Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Source: www.anews.com.tr