 "Turkish league suspended after 'vile, inhumane' referee attack by club president")
The Turkish SuperLig, country’s highest football division, has been suspended indefinitely after a referee was punched by Ankaragucu’s president following a 1-1 draw with Rizespor, the country’s football federation (TFF) announced. Ankaragucu chief Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler with a vicious right hook to the face on the pitch following Monday’s game, leaving the official with a black eye. “This vile attack was not only made against Halil Umut Meler,” the TFF said. “Today, this inhumane and despicable attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish football. “In coordination with our State, all the criminal proceedings they deserve have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.
“The responsible club, the Club President, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way. “By the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely,” it added.
Rizespor had equalised in the 97th minute prompting an angry Koca to make his way onto the field and attack Meler. Meler fell to the ground and was struck again while on the floor in the middle of a melee of players, coaches and officials. According to local media, Meler was then taken to a hospital due to his injuries. ‘Incompatible with violence’ Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the incident which took place in Ankara.
“Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence,” Erdogan posted on Twitter, which is being rebranded as ‘X’. “We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,” he added. The next and 16th round out of 38 of the Turkish top-flight was scheduled for next weekend. Ankaragucu are in 10th place in the table, four points below Rizespor after the draw. Elsewhere in European football on Monday, Belgian giants Anderlecht and Standard Liege announced games between the two sides would be played without away supporters until the end of the 2024/2025 season. The Greek government said football matches will be played behind closed doors until 12 February in an attempt to clamp down on violence at sports events. (with inputs from AFP)