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Turkish football was rocked on Monday night after a shocking attack on a top-flight referee, which has led to the country’s Football Association suspending football in the country.
The president of a top-flight Turkish football club sparked fury after running onto the pitch following a draw and punching a referee in the face.
MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca launched the vicious attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after his side drew 1-1 against Caykur Rizespor in the Super Lig.
Fans also invaded the pitch after Rizespor scored an equaliser seven minutes into eight minutes of injury time, prompting police to escort the referee to safety.
The moment that the fist of Faruk Koca, president of top-flight football club, connects with the face of referee Halil Umut Meler after a Turkish Super Lig match on Monday evening
The MKE Ankaragucu president launched the vicious attack (pictured) on referee Meler after his side drew 1-1 against Caykur Rizespor in the Super Lig
Meler collapsed to the ground after he was struck by Koca after the conclusion of the 1-1 draw
Meler looked to protect his face after the punch while other individuals kicked him on the floor
The shocking incident has led to the Turkish Football Federation announcing the suspension of all domestic league matches.
‘This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football,’ said president Mehmet Buyukeksi after an emergency meeting.
‘We say enough is enough.
‘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.’
The shutdown of Turkish domestic football comes ahead the final round of group fixtures in European competitions this week.
Notably Galatasaray are seeking to book their place in the knock-out stages when they face FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night, with the Turkish side level on points with their Danish opponents in Group A.
Galatasaray have confirmed their Champions League match will go ahead despite the suspension of domestic competitions
The Turkish side face FC Copenhagen on Tuesday in a crunch final group stage match
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Should the teams draw, Manchester United would have the chance to reach the last-16 if they beat Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.
Galatasaray have issued a statement to confirm their match has been unaffected by the shutdown of domestic football.
‘Tonight we will play a very important match for Turkish football and Galatasaray,’ said Dursun Aydın Ozbek, Galatasaray president.
‘We will play Copenhagen in Denmark. Parken Stadium is the place we are used to, where we won the UEFA Cup. Therefore, we are planning to return to Turkey with a big victory tonight.
‘We will do our best to give Turkish football the points it needs and a night of pride. We are ready. We have no deficiencies. I am sure it will be a good result.
‘From here, I wish a good match to all my football players, the technical team and all the Galatasaray fans there. I wish success to be with us.’
Ozbek condemned the violence on Monday, insisting the images damage the brand value of Turkish football and its image abroad.
The scenes were captured from multiple angles by photographers and on the live broadcast of the Turkish Super Lig match – the top flight of Turkish football.
The match finished 1-1 after Rizespor netted the last-gasp equaliser against Ankaragucu, who had been poised to win the match with an early opening goal.
However, the goal in the 97th minute of the 98-minute match saw the clash conclude in a draw – moments before the shocking twist of violence.
The shocking incident was captured and broadcast live as fans tuned in to watch the face-off
Halil Umut Meler (centre, November 28) is one of Europe’s top referees, and regularly officiates games in the UEFA Champions League, Europe’s premier football competition
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited the stricken referee in hospital on Tuesday
Mail Sport has launched a campaign to stop the abuse of referees at all levels of the game
Ankaragucu are reported to have cheered on the attack as a large crowd of players, coaching staff and security were quick to race to the scene and stop the assault, with the shaken Meler eventually helped to his feet.
Police formed a wall around him so he could escape to safety.
After being led away, he was seen sporting a swollen eye, with Turkish news outlets reporting that as he left the pitch, he said: ‘Thank you, it’s my fault.’
Meler is reported to have since watched the footage back and filed police complaints against everyone involved in the attack. He has also given a statement, according to Turkish media.
They also reported that he had become a father just days ago.
Reports from the hospital detail how the bleeding in his left eye has started to decrease and the cheek fracture he sustained will ‘gradually heal’.
They also said there is no permanent damage following further facial and neurological tests
It is not known when matches in the division will resume.
A judicial investigation has been launched ‘against those responsible’ for the unprovoked assault, according to Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc.
Tunc said the Ankara Police Department were tasked with identifying suspects.
Turkey’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, announced that Koca was being treated in hospital under the supervision of security forces, with detention procedures to follow.
