The president of a prominent Turkish football club has triggered outrage after charging onto the field following a tie and delivering a punch to a referee’s face, all while the domestic game in the nation remains in disarray due to the indefinite suspension of the Super Lig.
In a shocking display that has drawn condemnation from the country’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Faruk Koca, the president of Ankaragucu, mercilessly attacked match official Halil Umut Meler moments after his team drew 1-1 against Rizespor.
Disturbing visuals capture Koca’s clenched fist striking the referee’s cheek just below his left eye, causing the official to collapse to the ground. Others then took turns kicking him while he cowered on the ground, desperately shielding his face.
A large congregation of players, coaching staff, and security personnel swiftly rushed to the scene, putting a stop to the assault. The visibly shaken Meler was eventually assisted to stand up. As he was escorted away, his eye showed signs of swelling.
The Turkish Super Lig match, which was a top-flight football match, was captured from multiple angles by photographers and broadcast live. The match concluded with a 1-1 score, as Rizespor managed to score a last-minute equaliser against Ankaragucu, who had initially taken the lead with an early opening goal.
However, an equalising goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute game resulted in a draw, just moments before a shocking eruption of violence. The resumption of matches in the division remains uncertain. Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc, has initiated a judicial investigation into the unprovoked assault and has tasked the Ankara Police Department with identifying the culprits. On the other hand, Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, has announced that Koca is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital under the supervision of security forces, with subsequent detention procedures to be carried out.
Yerlikaya strongly denounces the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler during the MKE Ankaragucu-Çaykur Rizespor match, stating that such incidents are unacceptable on the green fields of peace and friendship. The sad event is being closely monitored. Yerlikaya extends his best wishes to referee Halil Umut Meler, who effectively represents Turkish refereeing internationally.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, also condemns the attack and expresses his wishes for the speedy recovery of the referee. Erdogan emphasises that sports symbolise peace and brotherhood and asserts that violence has no place in Turkish sports, vowing to never allow such acts to occur.
MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor karşılaşmasının sonunda hakem Halil Umut Meler’e yönelik saldırı gerçekleştirilen Ankaragücü Kulübü Başkanı Faruk Koca emniyet güçlerimizin gözetiminde hastanede tedavi görmektedir. Tedavi sonrası gözaltı işlemleri gerçekleştirilecektir.
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) December 11, 2023
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Turkey’s football federation (TFF) has scheduled an extraordinary meeting in response to the disturbing incident that occurred, as reported by state broadcaster TRT.
Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi expressed strong condemnation, stating, “Turkish football has been disgracefully tarnished tonight. All those involved in this incident will face consequences,” as stated by TRT.
On the other hand, Ankaragucu has issued an official apology to football fans regarding the regrettable event that transpired after the match.
In a statement released on X, formerly known as Twitter, the club expressed their sorrow, saying, “As MKE Ankaragucu Sports Club, we are deeply saddened by the incident that unfolded this evening.
“We extend our sincerest apologies to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the unfortunate occurrence that took place after the Çaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.”
The team expressed strong condemnation for the unfortunate incidents that unfolded following the Ankaragucu match they played today. They extend their well wishes to the entire referee community, notably Halil Umut Meler, the referee of the match, hoping for his speedy recovery.
In the 14th minute, Olimpiu Morutan scored the opening goal, but the game took a dramatic turn when Ali Sowe of Ankaragucu was shown a red card in the second half, reducing his team to ten men. In the 95th minute, Emirhan Topcu of Rizespor was also sent off, but just before the final whistle, the visitors managed to secure a last-minute equaliser through Adolfo Gaich.
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Askin Bak, has strongly denounced the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler at the end of the MKE Ankaragucu-Caykur Rizespor match. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Bak expressed his firm condemnation, stating that such actions do not align with the spirit of sports and Turkish football.
Meler, who has been a FIFA referee since 2017, according to the AFP news agency, has recently found himself at the centre of controversy in Turkey. Despite the criticism often directed towards officials by club managers and presidents, acts of violence are a rare occurrence.
Meanwhile, Koca, 59, has been serving as the president of Ankaragucu since 2021, and his efforts were recognised when he was awarded the Fair Play manager of the month in October 2022. The escalating incident has also drawn the attention of Fenerbahce and Turkish international footballer Umut Nayir, who took to social media to express his dismay at the unsightly scenes.
‘A mentality that considers itself to be right regardless of any criticism or actions towards the referee has engulfed us,’ he stated on X, formerly Twitter.
‘You have systematically eroded the credibility of one of the most vulnerable aspects of football through continuous pressure. You have unfairly burdened them with the blame for your failures. It is truly disgraceful.
‘I am deeply ashamed of the predicament you have forced us into.’
Ankaragucu currently stands in 11th place in the Super Lig with 18 points, lagging behind Rizespor in the 8th position with 22 points after completing 15 matches.
