FIFA Referee Committee President Pierluigi Collina supported referee Halil Umut Meler, who was attacked in the match played between MKE Ankaragücü and Çaykur Rizespor in the Trendyol Super League.
In his statement, Collina stated that he saw Halil Umut Meler on the field many times and that they spent time together at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup held in Argentina, and added: “He is a very good referee and a very good person. He did not deserve what he went through in Ankara.” used.
‘THOSE IMAGES ARE HORRIBLE’
Noting that Meler was doing his duty when he was attacked, Collina said, “The images of Halil Umut Meler trying to protect his head while lying on the ground while being kicked by the attackers and the bruise under his eye are terrible.”
‘HE CANNOT BE BEATED EVEN IF THE DECISION HE MAKE IS WRONG’
Pointing out that it is appalling that thousands of referees in the lower leagues around the world are subjected to verbal or physical abuse in incidents that are not reported in the media, the Italian sportsman said: “They are unknown. The majority of them are young referees at the beginning of their careers. Last month in London, ‘violence against referees, “I said ‘verbal and physical abuse is a cancer that could cost the future of football. A referee cannot be beaten even if his decision is wrong. His car cannot be bombed or set on fire because of a penalty kick. Unfortunately, this is not an exaggeration because in some countries, these things happen, albeit rarely.”
Collina also thanked FIFA President Gianni Infantino for his support to Halil Umut Meler as a former referee, and called for “action before it is too late, before cancer kills football.”
2023-12-13 10:02:00
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