The Turkish Football Federation has decided to postpone soccer matches indefinitely after the referee was punched by the president of Ankaragucu during the match against Rizespor.

The announcement of the Turkish Football Federation in detail:

We strongly condemn the inhumane and despicable attack on Halil Umut Meler, the FIFA licensed match referee, by self-aware criminals after the Trendyol Super League match held between We are closely monitoring Halil Umut Meler’s health condition and wish speedy recovery to our precious umpire.

Today, this vile attack was not only against Halil Umut Meller. Today, this inhumane and despicable attack was made against all the involved bodies of Turkish football. All those who have targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees are complicit in this despicable crime. Irresponsible statements by club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees paved the way for this vile attack today. Anyone who constantly mentions some events that happened years ago as if they happened today is responsible for this ugliness.

In coordination with our State, all appropriate criminal procedures have been initiated against those responsible and the instigators of this inhumane attack. The club responsible, the Club President, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way.

By decision of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Football Federation, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.

It is announced with respect to the public.

“I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler,” Erdogan says

The incident was also condemned by Tayyip Erdoğan, who, among other things, commented that “sports means peace and brotherhood.

“I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match that took place this afternoon and wish him a speedy recovery,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a post on Platform X.

“Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence in Turkish sports,” he adds.

Bu akşam oynanan MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor müsabakası after hakem Halil Umut Meler’e ığırın aşkılıyı kınıyor, Iletiyorum goçel olsun dileklerimi iletiyorum.

Spor, barış ve kardeşlik means friendship. Spor şıkışle bağdaşmaz. Asla barınmasına şiddetin Türk sporunun içinde…

— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) December 11, 2023

A few minutes ago, Ankaragyutsu issued a statement about the incident, in which it apologized for the behavior of its president. “We are saddened by the incident. We apologize to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after her match,” he said.

What happened

An incredible scene happened in the Turkish league on Monday night (11/12), as immediately after the end of Ankaragucu’s match with Rizespor (1-1) for the 15th matchday of the Superlig, the president of the home team, Farouk Koca, entered the pitch and punched the referee Halil Omut Meler in the face!

The home team, in which Tasos Hatzigiovanis and Stelios Kitsiu are competing, had many complaints from the referee for the dismissal of Ali Sove in the 50th minute with a second yellow card, but the situation “escaped” completely.

With the Ankaragutsu strongman attacking the referee and “laying” him on the field with his fist, to be followed by an attack by other members of the home team who began to kick referee Meller wildly while he was down on the pitch.

Meller’s eye was swollen and he was immediately taken to the dressing room to be given first aid by the match doctor, while Ankara fans tried to invade the pitch but were prevented by stadium security.

Tasos Hatzigiovanis played as a substitute in the second half of the match against Rizespor, while Kitsiu stayed on the bench, in a highly episodic game that will have… continuation in the courtrooms.