Turkish referee attack leaves crisis that goes beyond football

[CharlieH]

 

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.

 

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[JonnyF]

Not a good look.

 

The idiot who kicked him in the head a couple of seconds after he went down was just as bad. Both should be charged with assault. Given Everton's recent 10 point deduction for breaking FFP rules you'd have to say at least double that would be appropriate.

[hotchilli]

A game of two halves, sportsmen and idiots.

[Grusa]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

A game of two halves, sportsmen and idiots.

A game of two halves, hulking idiots and cretins.