Ankaragucu president PUNCHES referee within the face after draw

The president of Turkish Super Lig membership Ankaragucu punched a referee within the face after storming onto the pitch following his aspect’s draw with Rizespor.

After the ultimate whistle, Halil Umut Meler was confronted by a visibly livid Faruk Koca, who aimed a punch on the official in abhorrent scenes caught on digital camera. 

Meler dropped to the ground and was then kicked by a minimum of two others whereas he seemed to guard his face. After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye.

A big crowd of gamers, teaching workers and safety have been fast to race to the scene and cease the assault, with the shaken Meler finally helped to his toes.

Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, introduced that Koca was being handled in hospital below the supervision of safety forces.

Detention procedures can be carried out after the remedy, Yerlikaya stated.

BeIN Sports, the Super Lig’s official broadcaster, reported shortly after the incident that the Turkey Football Federation had determined to carry a rare assembly.

The top-flight match, held on Monday night, completed 1-1. 

A judicial investigation has been launched ‘in opposition to these accountable’ for the unprovoked assault, in response to Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc. 

Tunc stated the Ankara Police Department have been tasked with figuring out suspects.

‘We are following this unhappy incident,’ Yerlikaya added.

Olimpiu Morutan opened the scoring within the 14th minute earlier than drama struck, with hosts Ankaragucu lowered to 10 males after Ali Sowe’s second-half dismissal.

Emirhan Topcu was additionally despatched off for Rizespor within the ninety fifth minute, although the guests netted a last-gasp equaliser by way of Adolfo Gaich on the cusp of the ultimate whistle. 

The assault has been condemned by Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Askin Bak. 

Bak, posting on X, wrote: ‘I strongly condemn the assault on the referee of the match, Halil Umut Meler, on the finish of the MKE Ankaragucu-Caykur Rizespor match.

‘We don’t wish to see these photos on our fields, which don’t go well with the spirit of sports activities and Turkish soccer.’

Koca, 59, has been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021. He obtained the Fair Play supervisor of the month award in October 2022. 

Fenerbahce and Turkey worldwide footballer Umut Nayir has reacted to the ugly scenes on his social media account.

‘A mentality that considers itself to be proper it doesn’t matter what is claimed or carried out to the referee has surrounded us,’ he posted on X, previously Twitter.

‘You destroyed essentially the most susceptible think about soccer along with your stress, daily, collectively. You put the burden of your failures on them. Shame on you. 

‘I’m ashamed of the scenario you have put us in.’