The violent attack on a Turkish referee scandalizes Europe
It went very, very far in Turkey last night during the match between Ankaragücü and Rizespor which ended in a draw (1-1). The president of Ankaragücü, Faruk Koca, physically attacked referee Halil Umut Meler, punching him. Having fallen to the ground, Halil Umut Meler was then severely beaten by people close to the president. The image is absolutely terrible and this morning, the Turkish newspaper Photo posted a scathing: “the punch of shame» on its front page! A shocking scene which very quickly caused the Turkish federation to react. The latter has in fact decided to stop its championship until further notice. The Minister of Interior officially announced that the president of Ankaragücü and the two people accompanying him had been arrested. But this image went around the world and shocked the sports press. The Guardian Talk about “Turkish terror. The referee of a Super League match is punched and kicked in the head.» In its interior pages, Marca evokes a “savage attack on a referee»… The sanctions risk being very heavy, but these are images of violence which have no place on a football field…
Manchester United opens the door to get rid of 4 stars
In England, Manchester United which still generates a lot of ink! This morning, the Manchester Evening News drops a bomb by announcing that stars are going to be “evacuated” this winter ! The Mancunian club wants to part ways with several senior players during the next winter transfer window. According to the daily, “Manchester United will listen to offers for five players: Varane, Casemiro, Martial, Sancho, van de Beek» ! “Financial Fair Play rules have prompted United to become a more proactive seller, although club sources insist no players will be sent off and manager Erik ten Hag does not want sales that would weaken the team. United are not expecting a mass exodus next month, but have decided to alert clubs of the availability of certain players well in advance of the transfer window.» The Guardian also returns to this information and talks about “January sales» for Manchester United! Finally, the Daily Star focuses mainly on this evening’s clash between the Red Devils and Bayern Munich. The tabloid makes a play on words with the coach’s name and indicates that the team must be “at 110%» ! “Erik asks his team to rise to the occasion in the decisive match», continues the daily. The Mancunians are off to a very poor start and must absolutely win to hope to qualify…
“Ibracadabra”
In Italy, the Boot is delighted with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to business! The Swede returns to AC Milan as a special advisor to club owner Redbird. For La Gazzetta dello SportIt is “Ibra mission Milan. Zlatan is back. Cardinal hires him to make things happen. The Swedish totem back home», Estimates the pink paper newspaper. The former striker, retired since last summer, also appears on the cover of Tuttosport which takes up the famous nickname of the Swede: “Ibracadabra» ! “Zlatan returns as super consultant. His magic is necessary to lift AC Milan in crisis», Reports the sports daily.
