By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
TURKISH Football Federation, on Tuesday, suspended all league games in the country after a club president punched the center-referee in the face at the end of a match.
Following a one-all draw in a Super Lig game against Caykur Rizespor on Monday night, President of MKE Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, reportedly attacked referee Halil Umut Meler on the pitch after the final whistle.
The referee fell on the ground and was kicked multiple times after fans invaded the pitch.
The indefinite suspension announcement was made after the federation held an emergency meeting to discuss the violence.
After the meeting, federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said the attack was shameful in the name of football:
“This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football. We say enough is enough.”
The referee fell on the ground and was kicked multiple times after fans invaded the pitch.
He also said that all involved in the violence would be punished.
“Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged them to commit crimes is complicit in this despicable attack.
“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and television commentators targeting referees have opened the way for this attack,” he added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also condemned the attack:
“Sports means peace and brotherhood. The sport is incompatible with violence.
“We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,” he wrote on X (formally known as Twitter)
The country’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said due to heart problems, Koca was hospitalized as a precaution, but would be taken into custody.
He also added that two other persons who attacked Meler on the pitch have been detained for questioning.
After the attack, Meler had a slight fracture near his eye and was immediately taken to the hospital.
As of the time of filing this report, he was in a stable condition and responding to treatment.
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