Turkey police arrests club president for punching referee

A moment when Faruk Koca, ran onto the pitch and punch match official, Halil Umut MelerPhoto:Twitter.

A Turkish football club president has been arrested after punching a referee following a top-flight game on Monday, reports BBC.

MKE Ankaragucu president, Faruk Koca, ran onto the pitch and struck match official, Halil Umut Meler, after his team conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.

Justice Minister, Yilmaz Tunc, said Koca and two others were formally arrested for “injuring a public official.”

All Turkish league football has been suspended following the incident. 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.”

Tunc said Koca and two others had been arrested after prosecutors took statements and a judicial control decision had been imposed on three other suspects.

“The investigation is continuing meticulously,” he added.
Hosts Ankaragucu had taken an early lead in Monday night’s Super Lig match before they had a player sent off after 50 minutes. Caykur equalised late on after also having a player sent off, and chaotic scenes followed the final whistle.

Having been knocked to the ground, Meler received several blows as he lay on the turf, suffering injuries including a small facial fracture.

He was pictured yesterday lying in a hospital bed with a swollen face and wearing a neck brace.

Mehmet Yorubulut, chief doctor of Acibadem hospital, said Meler had not suffered any