Ankaracucu president Faruk Koca punched referee Halil Umut Miller after his team drew 1-1 with Rizespor in the Turkish Super League on Monday night. Two arrested fans also attack officials, while a warrant has been issued for Kuka’s arrest
16:57 UK time, Tuesday 12 December 2023
Matches in all Turkish football leagues have been suspended indefinitely by the Football Association after the club president punched the referee at the end of a Super League match on Monday evening.
Farouk Koka, Chairman Ankaragocu, He ran onto the pitch and hit referee Khalil Omut Miller After their Super League match against Rizespor.
Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tun revealed that a Turkish court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Koca and the detention of two other suspects in the violence.
Tonk said that Kuka and two others were formally arrested on charges of “injuring a public official” after prosecutors took their statements.
“The investigation is continuing meticulously,” Tonk said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. A decision was taken to impose judicial supervision on three other suspects.
Kuka’s side conceded an equalizer in the 97th minute, ensuring that Rizespor stayed four points clear of their hosts after a 1-1 draw.
Ankaracucu fans stormed the field after the match and Miller was also kicked when he fell, although it was not clear who his attackers were. Miller eventually made it to the locker room with police assistance.
In a statement issued several hours after full-time, the Turkish Football Federation said it condemned the “inhuman and despicable” attack on the official.
“We are closely monitoring Khalil Umut Miller’s health condition and wish our valued referee a speedy recovery.
“This inhuman and despicable attack was carried out against all parties involved in Turkish football. Anyone who targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime.
“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and television commentators targeting referees paved the way for this vile attack today.
“In coordination with our state, all appropriate criminal measures have been taken against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.
“The club responsible, the club president, his directors and all the criminals who attacked Khalil Umut Miller will be punished in the harshest manner.
“In accordance with the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”
Turkish Football Federation President Mehmet Büyükükü condemned the attack on referee Halil Umut Miller by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca, describing it as inhumane.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also condemned the attacks, saying: “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the pitch. The events that followed the Turkish Super League match between MKE Ankaracucu and Kaykur Rezispor are completely unacceptable and have no place in our lives.” . Sports or society.
“Without match officials there is no football. Referees, players, fans and staff must be safe to enjoy the match, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels.”
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has decided to hold an extraordinary meeting in the wake of the unrest, the country’s public broadcaster reported. TRT He said.
The incident quickly reached the level of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was quoted in Turkish media as condemning the attack.
Erdogan said: “I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Miller after the match between MKE Ankaragucu and Çekur Rezispor, which was held this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
He added, “Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sports are incompatible with violence. We will never allow acts of violence to occur in Turkish sports.”
An arrest warrant has been issued for Koca, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X, adding that two people have already been arrested as part of a judicial investigation into the incident.
Two hours after the match ended, the official Ankaracucu FC account on X, formerly known as Twitter, issued an apology to the country’s football community for the incident.
The statement, originally written in Turkish, said: “We at MKE Ankaracucu Sports Club are saddened by the incident that occurred this evening.
“We apologize to the Turkish football fans and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Kaykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium.”
The 37-year-old Miller, a FIFA referee since 2017, took charge of Lazio’s Champions League group stage match against Celtic on November 28.
Referees in Turkey are often criticized by club managers and presidents for their decisions, but they are rarely the target of violent attacks.
Ankaracucu ranks 11th in the Super League with 18 points, three places behind Rizespor, who has 22 points from 15 matches.
The Turkish Football League has been thrown into chaos as it has been suspended indefinitely following an unprecedented incident in a match involving Ankara President Cucu. The league was left reeling after Cucu punched the referee during a heated confrontation on the field. This shocking turn of events has ignited widespread outrage and has left the future of the league uncertain. The incident has quickly become a major talking point in the football world, and its repercussions are yet to be fully realized.