Violence in the field: Turkish Federation suspends all football matches

The Turkish Football Federation has suspended all football matches after a club president punched the referee in the face at the end of a Superleague match.

MKA President Bangucu Faruk Koca attacked Judge Halil Umut Meler in the field Monday after the last whistle, following the 1-1 draw in a Super League match against Caykur Rizespor.

Referee, who fell to the ground, was also kicked in a clash that occurred after fans also invaded the field after Rizespor scored the draw goal at the last minute.

The Federation announced it suspended all league matches indefinitely after an emergency meeting held to discuss the violence, Kosova Prees follows.

Mel was admitted to the hospital with a slight fracture near his eye, but he was not in serious condition.

Koca, who was considered a heart attack, was also admitted to the hospital at night. He was ordered to be arrested pending trial on charges of wounding a public official Tuesday, following questioning by prosecutors, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced on X, the platform previously known as Titter.

Two suspects accused of kicking Meler were also arrested, while three others were released from custody on condition they were reported to the police regularly.

During the interrogation, Koca denied causing any injuries, insisting that he simply hit the referee. The club's president also blamed Meler for the incident, which he accused of <x0 wrong decisions” and provocative acts.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the attack.

” Sport means peace and brotherhood. Sports is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to occur in Turkish sports,” he wrote on X.