Turkish club MKE Ankaragucu's president Faruk Koca has been arrested after he was seen punching a football referee following their top-flight football game on Monday. Koca ran onto the pitch and stuck a blow on match official Halil Umut Meler's face after his side conceded a 97th-minuted equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Caykur Rizespor in the Turkish Super League. (Football News)
Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that Koca and two others have been formally arrested for 'injuring a public official'. Following the incident, all matches in Turkish football had been suspended.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the incident was "totally unacceptable" and violence had "no place in our sport or society".
"Without match officials there is no football," he said. "Referees, players, fans and staff have to be safe and secure to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels," he added.
Meler was hospitalized with a slight fracture near his eye but was not in a serious condition. He was expected to be discharged on Wednesday. Koca, who was considered to be at risk of a heart attack, was also hospitalized overnight. During his questioning, Koca denied causing any injury, insisting that he merely slapped the referee, according to HaberTurk television.
The club president also blamed the incident on Meler, whom he accused of “wrongful decisions” and provocative acts, the station reported, citing unnamed judicial officials.
“This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football,” federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said after the emergency meeting. “We say enough is enough,” he added, insisting that all involved in the violence would be punished.
Buyukeksi also blamed the attack on a culture of contempt toward referees in Turkey.
“Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged them to commit crimes is complicit in this despicable attack,” he said.
“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and television commentators targeting referees have opened the way for this attack.”
Speaking to reporters after visiting Meler in hospital, Buyukeksi said he hoped the incident would become a “milestone” for change for football in Turkey, which has been selected to co-host the 2032 European Championship with Italy.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 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. Violence in football is commonplace in Turkey and some other European countries despite efforts to crack down on it.
(With AP inputs)
