Referee Halil Umut Meler has no intention of resigning despite being punched during a Turkish top-flight match, according to Mehmet Buyukeksi, the head of the country’s football federation.
On Tuesday, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca was arrested for running onto the pitch and assaulting referee Halil Umut Meler following Monday’s 1-1 draw with Caykur Rizespor.
All leagues were temporarily suspended, but the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has announced that they will resume on December 19.
Meler, a prominent 37-year-old Turkish referee who officiates international games for FIFA and is part of UEFA’s elite referee list, was released from the hospital on Wednesday with a swollen eye.
Despite the incident, Mehmet Buyukeksi, the head of the country’s football federation, stated in a news conference on Wednesday that he still anticipates Meler officiating at Euro 2024 in Germany.
“We expect Halil Umut Meler to take part in Euro 2024. There is no possibility of him quitting refereeing right now,” said Buyukeksi.
Turkish football bosses suspended all leagues following the incident but Buyukeksi added: “We had decided to postpone the matches in all leagues indefinitely. With the decision we took today, all leagues will restart on Tuesday, December 19.”
The games that were postponed this week are rescheduled to take place on January 10.
Following Koca’s assault that caused Meler to fall to the ground, he was subjected to additional blows from others while lying on the turf, resulting in injuries, including a minor fracture.
The incident led to chaotic scenes involving players and club officials. Dr. Mehmet Yorubulut, Chief of Medicine at Acibadem Hospital, reported that Meler has a swollen eye but is in “good condition.”
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc revealed that Koca and two others were arrested after providing statements, and judicial control measures were imposed on three additional suspects.
Subsequently, Koca issued a statement through Ankaragucu, announcing his resignation as club president and expressing apologies for his actions. He conveyed a sense of “great embarrassment” for the “grave incident” he caused.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey visited Meler in the hospital and expressed his sorrow and concern over the incident.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) declared that Ankaragucu, its chairman, club officials, and all individuals found responsible for attacking the referee will face the most severe punishment possible.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the incident, labeling it as “totally unacceptable.” He emphasized that violence has “no place in our sport or society.”