Club President Hits Referee KO In The Field, Turkey League Is Immediately Suspended All Of Them

JAKARTA - The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has decided to suspend all league matches in its country. The suspension was decided on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, until an undetermined time.

TFF decided to stop all matches in the aftermath of the disgraceful actions on the field by President Ankaraguguu, Faruk Koca.

He is known to beat the referee, Halil Umut Meler, during the match against Caykur Rizespor, on Monday, December 11, 2023.

The club responsible and its manager will receive severe punishment. Everyone who targeted the referee at that time was clearly involved in this despicable crime, "said TFF General Chair Mehmet Buyukeksi, after an extraordinary meeting with the Club's Executive Board, reported by The Guardian.

The attack by referee Meler by Koca occurred after the match between Ankaragucu vs Rizespor which ended in a 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium.

Not only was Koca hit, Meler, who had fallen down, still got another kick by several people.

As a result of this incident, Meler immediately received treatment and was rushed to the hospital. Meanwhile, Koca, who had been calmed down by Ankaragugucu's coach, Emre Belozoglu, was also reported to be in hospital and would be subject to punishment.

This incident also caught the attention of the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He immediately confirmed that all matches of the Turkish football league were temporarily suspended.

Erdogan also made a strong statement against Koca's actions against Meler, who has the FIFA license.

"I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE match Ankaragugu vs Caykur Rizespor which took place tonight. I hope he recovers quickly," Erdogan wrote on his personal X account.

Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sports is not in line with violence. We will never allow violence to occur in Turkish sports, "said Erdogan.