Shocking footage has emerged online showing the president of Turkish club Ankaragucu attacking FIFA referee Halil Umut Meler after the hosts’ 1-1 draw against Caykur Rizespor.
Faruk Koca punched the match referee after the final whistle, and a large group of players and staff then crowded around the referee.
Olimpiu Morutan opened the scoring for Ankaragucu 14 minutes into the match, and the players were able to hold on until half-time. However, the match turned against them in the second half when Ali Sowe was sent off five minutes after the restart.
Nonetheless, it looked like Ankaragucu would manage to hold on to their victory, especially when Rizespor saw their own player, Emirhan Topcu, sent off in added time for a second yellow card. However, Adolfo Gaich equalized late in the match.
Ankaragucu president loses control after the match
The late goal should have been the story of the match, but unfortunately it wasn’t. Just after the final whistle, Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca ran onto the pitch to object to the referee.
Incredibly scandalous scene from the president of@Ankaragucu who attacks the referee at the end of a Division 1 championship match 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/6Hgd2gl8N1
— DIABATE 3️⃣3️⃣ (@diabate33) December 11, 2023
Footage of the incident clearly shows that Koca immediately lunged at Meler and punched the referee in the face without any hesitation. As he collapses to the ground, some staff members lunge at him in an attempt to protect him from further attacks, but the referee is kicked while on the turf.
After the attack, Meler is clearly seen sporting a black eye, as he appears to be in shock at what happened.
