Ankaragücü owner Faruk Koca kicks the lying referee Halil Umut Meler Source: SITA/AP/Depo Photos/Abdurrahman Antakyali
ISTANBUL – Referee Halil Umut Meler, who was attacked after a league match and all football competitions in Turkey were suspended, left the hospital today. The AP agency reported on the doctors’ decision.
“Besides the swollen eye, he has no more problems,” said the head of Acibadom Hospital in Ankara, Mehmet Yorbulut, saying that the minor fracture on his face will heal soon. After his release, the referee headed home to Izmir and had a police escort on the way.
Meler was attacked by Ankaragücü chairman Faruk Koca after Tuesday’s 1:1 draw with Rizespor. He hit him in the face and other people kicked the referee on the ground. Koca, who resigned after the incident, is in custody along with two other people.
On Tuesday, December 19, the Turkish Football Federation will resume the league matches, which it suspended in connection with the physical attack of the former president of Ankaragücü against the referee Halil Umut Meler.
Collina talks about the cancer that will kill football
In a statement, the chairman of the FIFA Referees Commission, Pierluigi Collina, condemned the attack on the Turkish referee by the official after the league match. He called similar behavior a cancer that will kill football.
The target of the attack was referee Halil Umut Meler, who was hit in the face by Ankaragücü chairman Faruk Koca right on the pitch after a 1:1 draw with Rizespor. Other people then kicked the referee on the ground.
“I’ve seen the footage and it’s disgusting. And what’s even worse is that thousands of referees in lower competitions are being verbally and physically attacked,” Collina stated. “And mostly they are young referees who are just starting out,” he added.
Photo gallery (8) Pierluigi Collina Source: SITA/AP/Martin Meissner
Collina once again called aggression towards referees a cancer. “Everyone who loves football to stand up against this. And start doing something before it’s too late and this cancer kills football.” he declared.
“You can’t beat up the referee, even if something goes wrong. You can’t set his car on fire, or put a bomb in it, because of a penalty. And now I’m not exaggerating. Burning and exploding cars are not uncommon in some countries.” said the 63-year-old Italian.
After the attack on Meler, the Turkish Football Association immediately suspended all football competitions in the country, and they should start again on Tuesday. A similar measure was taken in the past in Greece or Cyprus, where a referee was the target of a bomb attack three years ago.
Photo gallery for the article Number of photos: 8
- Author: © List/
- Source: CTK
2023-12-13 14:48:42
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