Turkish Süper Lig referee breaks silence after being PUNCHED by ex-club president Faruk Koca

Halil Umut Meler spoke to media for the first time since being released from the hospital.

Turkish Süper Lig referee breaks silence after being PUNCHED by ex-club president Faruk Koca

Halil Umut Meler has been released from the hospital (Via X/@RoyMustang786)

Halil Umut Meler has broken his silence. The match official who was ‘attacked’ and punched during a Süper Lig game made his first appearance in front of the media after he was released from the hospital. The Turkish Süper Lig was witness to a harrowing incident last Tuesday. Match official Halil Umut Meler was punched in the face by a club President before he was kicked while on the ground.

Subsequently, chaos ensued in the league, following which all league games were suspended in Turkey. There has been global outrage following the incident, with many condemning and censuring the regrettable incident. Meler also said that UEFA had contacted him regarding the incident. Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, labeled the incident as “totally unacceptable“.

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The referee reassured me that there was “no problem with my health“. He also stated that a return to officiating is very much possible.

I just want to go home and rest.

Following his discharge, a hospital physician said that he had ‘no problem’ except for a small swelling under the right eye. A minute cheek fracture suffered during the attack will “heal in time“, added the doctor.

Faruk Koca resigns following arrest for punching referee

Ankaragucu club President Faruk Koca has announced his resignation days after he ‘punched’ Halil Umut Meler in the face. The official had also told the police that Koca had threatened to ‘kill’ the official. The club announced that Koca has stepped down from his position, with his deputy Ismail Mert Firat taking charge as President.

Faruk Koca's attack on Meler
Faruk Koca’s attack on Halil Umut Meler (Via X/@turkishsoccer)

Even though Koca was arrested after the incident, he was admitted to the hospital at the risk of having a heart attack. However, a Turkish court has ordered his arrest and labeled it as a ‘pending trial’ underground of injuring a public official. The league was quick to act, immediately suspending league games, which are now set to resume on December 19th.

Many have called for punishment and penalties to be imposed on the President and club as fans worldwide condemn the incident. There is yet to be confirmation of the identities of those who kicked the fallen referee on the face and other parts of his body. Subsequently, there has been a call for better rules and guidelines in place to prevent similar ‘attacks’ against match officials.

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