Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler has spoken for the primary
- The referee was punched and kicked throughout a Super Lig match on Monday
- After three days in hospital he was pictured trying battered and bruised
- Have you witnessed abuse of referees? Contact [email protected]
Turkish soccer referee Halil Umut Meler has spoken for the first time since leaving hospital after he was punched by a crew’s president throughout a Turkish Super Lig match.
The 37-year-old, who had spent three days in hospital following the incident, confirmed that ‘there was no drawback along with his well being’ earlier than commenting on whether or not he would proceed to officiate.
Turkish soccer descended into an evening of chaos on Monday throughout MKE Ankaragucu’s 1-1 draw in opposition to Caykur Rizespor within the high flight.
Ankaragucu’s president Faruk Koca got here onto the pitch and in stunning scenes, which have since been condemned by the nation’s president, Recep Tayyip, proceded to shout on the referee earlier than punching him on the facet of the pinnacle.
The incident was subsequently branded ‘the darkest night time‘ by information papers within the nation, whereas the referee, who was pictured sporting a neck brace in hospital claimed that it was ‘his fault‘.
After leaving hospital on Wednesday, trying battered and bruised, Meler spoke to a number of journalists, saying, in response to Spor Arena: ‘There is not any drawback with my well being.’
Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler has spoken for the primary time since leaving hospital
It got here after he was punched within the head whereas officiating a sport within the Turkish Super Lig on Monday
The second that the fist of Faruk Koca, president of top-flight soccer membership, connects with the face of referee Meler after a Turkish Super Lig match
Games across the Turkish Super Lig have been subsequently suspended following the incident, however are set to restart on December 19, with followers taking to the streets to protest the choice made by the nation’s Football Federation.
Meler, 37, who has reportedly suffered facial fractures, was additionally requested whether or not he would proceed to referee, noting that he had been in contact with UEFA.
‘They known as me from UEFA,’ he informed reporters. ‘I’ll clarify these points later.
‘There is not any state of affairs for the time being, every thing is feasible. I simply need to go residence and relaxation.’ he replied.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has slammed the incident claiming it was ‘completely unnacceptable’, whereas president Koca has spoken out to defend himself claiming that the official had ‘thrown himself to the bottom.
Speaking after discharging Meler, Ankara hospital’s chief doctor mentioned of the referee: ‘He is in good spirits. He may have controls wherever he goes [next]. He has no drawback aside from a small swelling below his eye.
‘We placed on a neck brace for precautionary functions. The [cheek] fracture will heal in time, it was a small fracture anyway. There is not any extra bleeding.’
After the assault passed off, the Turkish Football Federation had held an emergency assembly to debate the violence, with Mehmet Buykeksi, the organisation’s chief, stating the incident was ‘shameful’.
‘This assault is unlucky and shameful within the identify of soccer,’ federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi mentioned after the assembly.
The referee admitted that he was OK and hugged a number of members of the group round him
Mail Sport has launched a marketing campaign to cease the abuse of referees in any respect ranges of the sport
Meler fell to the ground after the punch and was subsequently taken to hospital
He was launched from hospital on Wednesday morning admitting he was unclear if he would proceed to referee
‘We say sufficient is sufficient,’ he added.’Everyone who has focused referees and inspired them to commit crimes is complicit on this despicable assault,’ he mentioned.
‘The irresponsible statements of membership presidents, managers, coaches and tv commentators concentrating on referees have opened the best way for this assault.’
After the incident, referee Meler had reportedly issued a press release, saying: ‘Faruk Koca punched me below my left eye and I fell to the bottom. While I used to be on the bottom, they kicked my face and different components of my physique many occasions,’
He added:’Faruk Koca informed me and my fellow referees: ‘I’ll end you’.
‘Addressing me specifically, he mentioned: “I will kill you.”‘
Koca has additionally introduced his resignation on the membership’s web site, regardless of beforehand admitting he ‘solely meant to spit on the referee‘.
