Turkish Football Club President Arrested for On-Field Referee Assault

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has taken drastic measures in response to a shocking incident during Ankaragucu’s Super Lig home match against Rizespor. The TFF suspended all leagues after Ankaragucu’s president, Faruk Koca, physically assaulted referee Halil Umut Meler on the field.

Koca’s violent act occurred at the end of the match when Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equalizer, resulting in a 1-1 draw. In the aftermath, chaos ensued as Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch, and Meler was further assaulted while lying on the ground.

On Tuesday, a court ordered the arrest of Koca for “injuring a public official.” Two other suspects were also remanded in custody in connection with the incident. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed the arrests, emphasizing the seriousness of the investigation and revealing that three additional suspects were under judicial monitoring.

Koca, admitting to his actions, stated in court that he intended to react verbally and spit at the referee but ended up slapping him. He claimed that the slap wouldn’t cause a fracture and attributed his removal from the scene to a pre-existing heart condition.

The TFF Chairman, Mehmet Buyukeksi, condemned the incident, attributing it to the referee’s decisions and provocative behavior. Referee Meler and Koca were both taken to the hospital after the assault, according to Turkish media reports.

The suspension of all leagues by the TFF was described as a response to the “despicable attack” and was linked to a toxic culture of aggression towards referees fostered by players and club officials over several years, as stated by the TFF.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also denounced the attack, emphasizing that violence has no place in sports. Erdogan expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery for referee Meler and emphasized that sports should promote peace and brotherhood.

Referee Meler, a FIFA official since 2017, had recently officiated a Champions League group game between Lazio and Celtic. While referees in Turkey often face criticism for their decisions, violent attacks against them are rare.

The fate of Super Lig matches remains uncertain as the TFF has postponed all games indefinitely. Erdogan’s condemnation and the TFF’s strong stance against the assault underscore the severity of the incident, highlighting the need for a comprehensive response to curb violence and aggression in Turkish football.