Jump to content

Turkish referee attack leaves crisis that goes beyond football


CharlieH

Recommended Posts

image.png

 

One of Turkey's top football officials may quit the game after he was physically attacked on the pitch by the president of an Ankara club and its fans.

The violent attack on elite referee Halil Umut Meler has left Turkish football in a full-blown crisis and magnified concerns about Turkey's institutions.

The referee was treated in hospital after he was punched in the face by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, after the Ankara-based team conceded a late equaliser in the Turkish capital against Super Lig rivals Caykur Rizespor.

While the referee lay injured, furious fans then stormed on to the pitch and kicked him. Ankaragucu's club president has since resigned and been placed in pre-trial detention with two others.

The dramatic events after the final whistle underscore the intense emotions surrounding football in Turkey. The sport is massively popular in the country of 85 million people and is a platform that links Turkish politics, business and culture.

The attack has prompted the 37-year old referee on Uefa's elite list to contemplate quitting, according to Ali Kunak, former general secretary of the Turkish Football Federation's central arbitration board, who spoke to Meler and local media on Tuesday.

 

The violence has also led to an indefinite suspension of Turkish Super Lig games.

The Turkish Football Federation, in a post on X, said it condemned the "inhumane, despicable attack", which it blamed in part on "irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches, and TV commentators targeting referees".

Violence has long been associated with Turkish football, where it is common to see a heavy police presence at matches across the country.

 

FULL STORY

BBC-LOGO.png

 

 

 

 

 

  • Sad 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.








  • Topics

  • Latest posts...

    1. 2,404

      Thai gov. to tax (remitted) income from abroad for tax residents starting 2024 - Part II

    2. 0

      Horrific Bus Fire in Thailand Sparks National Debate on Safety

    3. 21
    4. 21

      Tim Walz's Verbal Missteps Stir Concerns Amid Tight Campaign

    5. 8

      Met Police Officers Reinstated After Appeal Over Bianca Williams Stop and Search Incident

    6. 8

      Met Police Officers Reinstated After Appeal Over Bianca Williams Stop and Search Incident

    7. 2

      harris sidesteps question on whether Bibi is a good US ally

    8. 2

      harris sidesteps question on whether Bibi is a good US ally

    9. 43

      Which state that Trump won in 2020 will he lose this time?

    10. 488

      White Culture

    11. 8

      Moldova Accuses Russia of Voter Bribery to Block EU Integration

    12. 23

      My best memory of Thailand

    13. 2,640

      ICE vs EV, the debate thread

×
×
  • Create New...