The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) introduced on Wednesday that nationwide soccer leagues will resume on Dec. 19, ending a brief suspension ensuing from a violent assault on a referee.
Matches have been suspended hours after Ankaragücü membership President Faruk Koca rushed onto the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler after the ultimate whistle in Monday’s first division match within the Turkish capital.
Meler was launched from the hospital in Ankara on Wednesday after present process observations and receiving a cellphone name from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
TFF chief Mehmet Büyükekşi stated the game’s governing physique would announce penalties for the altercation on Thursday.
He informed reporters that weekend matches can be rescheduled to assist cope with the incident’s repercussions.
“We had decided to postpone the matches in all leagues indefinitely. With the decision we took today, all leagues will restart on Tuesday, Dec. 19,” Büyükekşi stated.
Büyükekşi added that he anticipated Meler, a revered 37-year-old with accreditation to referee worldwide matches, to recuperate and be a part of the officiating crew of the Euro 2024 championship to be held between June and July in Germany.
“We expect Halil Umut Meler to take part in Euro 2024. There is no possibility of him quitting refereeing right now.”
Images of Monday’s incident confirmed Koca speeding onto the pitch with a gaggle of males and knocking out Meler with a blow to the left aspect of his face.
Meler was kicked a number of instances within the ensuing melee.
Koca gave the impression to be incensed at Meler for sending off one in all his gamers after which awarding a stoppage-time aim that allowed visiting Rizespor to go away Ankara with a one-all draw.
Meler launched an announcement Tuesday saying Koca had threatened his life.
“Faruk Koca punched me under my left eye, and I fell to the ground. While I was on the ground, they kicked my face and other parts of my body many times,” Meler stated.
“Faruk Koca told me and my fellow referees: ‘I will finish you.’ Addressing me in particular, he said: ‘I will kill you.'”
Source: www.dailysabah.com