Turkish leagues to resume next week after attack on referee

Turkey’s football leagues will resume play on Tuesday next week following a one-week suspension due to an on-field attack by a club president on a referee, who emerged from hospital on Wednesday with a swollen eye.

On Monday evening at the end of a Super Lig match against Caykur Rizespor, Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca entered the pitch and punched referee Halil Umut Meler in the face. The official was then kicked while lying on the pitch covering his head.

Koca was arrested the next day and the soccer federation immediately halted all matches.

Turkish Football Federation chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi said on Wednesday it decided to resume league matches on Dec. 19.

“We will never allow attacks or disproportionate pressure on our referees. This incident needs to become a milestone, a turning point for Turkish football,” Buyukeksi told reporters in Istanbul.

Meler, the referee, was released from an Ankara hospital on Wednesday with a swollen and darkened eye but no other health issues.

Buyukeksi said the federation’s disciplinary committee would decide on Thursday on the status of Ankaragucu.

Mehmet Yorubulut, chief doctor at Acibadem hospital, said the head fracture he suffered would heal in time. “The bleeding in Meler’s left eye has almost completely stopped,” he added.

Koca was arrested on Tuesday for his attack on Meler, who was later quoted as telling police that Koca had also threatened to kill him during the incident.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the incident “totally unacceptable” and said that violence has “no place in our sport or society”.  Without match officials, there is no football”.

“Referees, players, fans and staff have to be safe and secure to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels.”-he said.

Story By; Princeton Wiredu