The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended all leagues on an evening of “shame” for the nation’s soccer after Ankaragücü’s President Faruk Koca punched the referee within the face on the finish of their Süper Lig dwelling match towards Rizespor.
Koca invaded the sector and hit referee Halil Umut Meler when the ultimate whistle blew after Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equalizer within the 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium on Monday, footage from state broadcaster TRT confirmed.
Ankaragücü followers invaded the pitch after the sport and Meler was additionally kicked when he fell, although it was unclear who his assailants had been. Meler finally made it to the dressing room with the assistance of the police.
“The Turkish Football Federation has decided to suspend all games in all leagues indefinitely,” the federation posted on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
“The related club, the club chairman, club officials and all those guilty of attacking referee Umut Meler will be punished in the strongest terms possible.”
A detention order has been issued for Koca, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated in a put up on X, including that two folks have already been detained as a part of a judicial investigation into the incident.
“Turkish football has been punched shamefully tonight. Everyone involved in this incident will pay the price,” TFF Chairman Mehmet Büyükekşi stated, in response to TRT.
A FIFA referee since 2017, 37-year-old Meler took cost of Lazio’s Champions League group recreation with Celtic on Nov. 28.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tweeted: “Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”
Referees in Türkiye are sometimes criticized by membership managers and presidents for his or her selections however are not often the goal of violent assaults.
Ankaragücü are eleventh within the standings on 18 factors, three locations under Rizespor on 22 factors after 15 matches.
Source: www.dailysabah.com