Last updated on December 16th, 2023 at 11:41 pm
A punch hit referee Halil Umut Meler after blowing the final whistle. Then, came the first kick and another as the referee tried to protect his head with his hands. As an aftermath, Turkey suspends all soccer matches.
The team president who launched the blow was arrested, and the referee was sent to the hospital within hours.
When the mayhem broke out, Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor played in Turkey’s top level, the Super Lig. According to soccer news reports, a tense match culminated in two ejections. Also, it had a thrilling finale when Rizespor, the visiting club, scored in the 93rd minute to deny the home team a much-needed victory. Although the intense scenario was not unusual in a league notorious for its steamy stadiums, the brutality and subsequent backlash were undoubtedly unprecedented.
Turkey Suspends All Soccer Matches
An irate mob of Ankaragucu team officials, headed by club president Faruk Koca, surrounded Mr. Meler as players, spectators, and others poured onto the field only minutes after the final whistle. As Mr. Koca came charging over from the sidelines, he unleashed a punch that struck the referee square in the face, sending him sprawling to the floor. In a flash, other guys encircled him, and he fought back by kicking them in the torso and head.
Officials and players rallied to defend Mr. Meler, a well-regarded member of the small cadre of officials tasked with officiating significant tournaments like the Champions League. With his left eye noticeably swollen and blackened, he was helped to his feet and brought away under the protection of police officers.
According to bookie software reports, politicians and soccer authorities from Turkey paid him a visit at the hospital on Tuesday morning. He was lying in bed, braced heavily around the neck. Ankaragucu announced Mr. Koca’s resignation as president before the end of the day.
Across Turkey, many condemned the attack right away. After an emergency meeting late Monday, the Turkish soccer federation—which controls the game in the nation—suspended all matches indefinitely.
Although Turkey suspended soccer matches, there are other tournaments in other countries. Thus, you can start learning how to be a bookie agent and earn from soccer games from across the globe.
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