President of Turkish soccer club quits after punching official in face after match
Referee Halil Umut Meler was hospitalized after the incident Monday but is expected to be released Tuesday
A Turkish soccer match fell into chaos Monday after a club president punched an official in the face.
Right after officials blew the whistle on a 1-1 draw between MKE Ankaragücü and Rizepor, Ankaragücü president Faruk Koca ran out and punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face, knocking him to the ground. Several fans invaded the pitch at the end of the game, too, and Meler was also kicked before he was helped off the field by police.
Absolutely crazy scenes between Ankaragucu’s 1-1 draw with Rizespor.
Halil Umut Meler, stood with his assistants at the final whistle, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca knocks him out!
Ironically Faruk Koca won the Turkish Super Lig' fairplay award in 2022 💀#AGvÇRS 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/GFb5HW2pOd— Ali (@RoyMustang786) December 11, 2023
As a result, the Turkish league suspended all games Monday.
“This attack is a night of shame for Turkish football,” TFF chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said, via the BBC.
"Football matches are not a war. There is no death at the end,” he added. “Not all teams can become champions at the same time. We all need to understand this. We invite everyone to take responsibility. [Ankaragücü] and its managers will be punished most severely."
Koca, who was among three people arrested, announced he was resigning on Tuesday.
“In order to avoid any further harm to the Ankaragücü club, Ankaragücü fans, the community I am in and my family, I would like to announce that I have resigned from the MKE Ankaragücü Presidency,” Koca said in a club statement posted on X.
“The responsible club, the Club President, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way,” the TFF said in a statement.
Meler, 37, is a top referee in the Turkish league and also works matches for FIFA and UEFA. He was hospitalized after the incident and treated for a small fracture and bleeding around his left eye. He was held overnight as a precaution, a doctor told the BBC.
The incident even led Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan to speak out.
"I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match played this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery," Erdogan said, via the BBC. "Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports."
Ankaragücü are currently 11th in the Turkish league standings, three spots below Rizespor — which scored a game-tying goal in the 97th minute Monday.
