Turkish Federation suspends all league games after punching referee – News of Brazil
[ad_1]
The Turkish Football Federation has indefinitely postponed games in all leagues in the country following the violent attack on a referee in a Super League game between Ankaragücü and Rizespor, this Monday (11).
After the 1-1 draw at the Eryaman Stadium in Ankara, the president of Turkish club Ankaragücü, Faruk Koca, ran onto the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face. The judge fell to the ground immediately after the blow and was kicked by at least two individuals. The FIFA-licensed referee was eventually pulled to his feet with the help of several players and security guards and was removed from the field.
Several photos and videos show Meler with his left eye swollen and wearing a bag of ice as he walked off the field surrounded by security guards with shields. According to public broadcaster TRT, he was transported by ambulance to hospital.
“We strongly condemn the inhumane and despicable attack on Halil Umut Meler, the FIFA-licensed match referee, by criminals after the Super League game,” the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring the health of Halil Umut Meler and wish our valuable referee a speedy recovery”completed the note.
The federation announced that the board of directors had agreed to indefinitely postpone games in all leagues and that criminal proceedings had been initiated against those responsible for the “inhuman attack”. “The responsible club, the club president, its directors and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way”stated the federation.
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the president of the Turkish club was admitted to hospital under the supervision of security forces. Yerlikaya also said that detention procedures would be carried out for Koca after his treatment and that two more individuals had already been arrested.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan condemned the attack in a statement published on X, this Monday (11). “I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the game and wish him a speedy recovery. Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to occur in Turkish sports.”said Erdogan.
Ankaragücü, the club whose president initiated the attack, apologized for the incident. “As MKE Ankaragücü Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that occurred tonight. We apologize to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Çaykur Rizespor game at the Eryaman Stadium.”said the club.
Meler, 37, has been a FIFA-licensed referee since 2017. According to the chief physician at Acıbadem Ankara Hospital, Dr. Mehmet Yörübulut, Meler was treated for a small fracture and bleeding around his left eye and will remain in hospital as a precaution due to to the head trauma suffered. “We are happy it is not life threatening”said Yörübulut.
Source: CNN
Leave your comment
Advertising
[ad_2]
Source link
