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Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Meler following a controversial decision in his side's 1-1 draw with Rizespor in Turkish Super Lig on Monday night, leading to multiple arrests and all Turkish league matches being suspended indefinitely.
A Turkish Super Lig game between MKE Ankaragucu and Rizesporended in controversial fashion after referee Halil Umut Meler was punched by Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca.
Koca's team, Ankaragucu had conceded a 97th-minute equaliser, ensuring Rizespor would stay four points clear of their hosts after the 1-1 draw.
Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch after the game and Meler was also kicked when he fell, though it was unclear who his assailants were. Meler eventually made it to the dressing room with the help of the police.
Arrests have been made
On Tuesday, a Turkish court ordered the arrest of Koca and also remanded in custody two other suspects over the violence, the justice minister Yilmaz Tunc revealed the morning after the incident.
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Tunc said Koca and two others were formally arrested for "injuring a public official" after prosecutors took statements from them.
Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch after the game and Meler was also kicked when he fell, though it was unclear who his assailants were. Meler eventually made it to the dressing room with the help of the police
FIFA condemns the attack on referee
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino on Tuesday, called the attack on a Turkish football referee by the president of top-flight club Ankaragucu “totally unacceptable”.
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“There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the field," Infantino said in a statement posted on his official social media pages.
“Events following the Turkish Super Lig match between MKE Ankaragucu and Caykur Rizespor are totally unacceptable and have no place in our sport or society," Infantino said.
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