The president of Turkish football club MKE Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, has been arrested for assaulting referee Halil Umut Meler following a top-flight match on Monday.
The incident occurred after Ankaragucu conceded a 97th-minute equalizer in a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced Koca’s arrest, stating that he, along with two others, is formally charged with “injuring a public official.” In response to the violence, all Turkish league football has been suspended.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino condemned the incident, labelling it “totally unacceptable” and asserting that violence has “no place in our sport or society.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of referees, players, fans, and staff for the enjoyment of the game.
During the chaotic scenes after the match, Meler, a respected 37-year-old referee, was knocked to the ground and subsequently punched, sustaining injuries, including a small facial fracture. He is expected to be discharged without permanent damage.
Koca, a 59-year-old former parliamentarian aligned with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party, denies responsibility, attributing the incident to the referee’s decisions and provocative behaviour.
President Erdogan, expressing his disapproval, stressed that violence has no place in Turkish sports and affirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and brotherhood in sports.
The investigation is ongoing, with statements taken and a judicial control decision imposed on additional suspects.
Source:3news.com
