This Tuesday, Gianni Infantino spoke about the referee attacked by a club president in Turkey.
The world of football has once again been affected by a terrible event. This Monday, the referee of the Turkish championship match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor Halil Umutu Meler was violently attacked by the president of the Ankaragucu club, who punched him in the face, before being knocked to the ground by several men.
Terrible images which have already gone around the planet and which have led to the cessation of the Turkish championship until further notice. This Tuesday, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his anger at such events. “There is absolutely no place for violence in football, on or off the pitch. The events that followed the match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor are totally unacceptable and have no place in our sport or in our society. (…) Referees, players, supporters and staff must be safe to enjoy matches and I call on the competent authorities to ensure that this is strictly respected at all levels”he published on his Instagram account.
🚨 Ankaragücü President Faruk Hoca, who hit referee Halil Umut Meler yesterday, was sent to prison in Sincan, Ankara.
pic.twitter.com/Tk5o7QL1eD— Actu Football Türkiye 🇹🇷 (@ActuFootTurquie) December 12, 2023
For his part, Faruk Hoca, president of the Ankaragucu club and who gave the first punch to the referee of the match, was admitted to Sincan prison in Ankara. Hikmet Karaman, who coached the club in 2021, confided that he had already been hit by Hoca during his time with his club.
