Here is all you need to know about who is Turkey referee Halil Umut Meler as club president Faruk Koca knocks down the referee with a single punch
Match referee Halil Umut Meler was knocked to the ground when Turkish football team MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca hit him in the face after a game. The event took place on Monday, December 11.
Who is Halil Umut Meler Turkey Super Lig referee punched by MKE President Faruk Koca in viral video
Türkische Fußball Liga. Ankaragücü-Präsident Faruk Koca prügelt auf Schiedsrichter Halil Umut Meler ein. Unfassbar!
— 🎙️🎙️ 𝔻𝕖𝕒𝕟 𝕄𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕚 🎙️🎙️ (@Dean_Martin_11) December 11, 2023
When the final whistle for the 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium sounded, Koca was seen on camera storming onto the pitch and slamming into the referee. An enraged Koca stormed onto the pitch to take aim at Meler after Rizespor had levelled in the 97th minute. The footage was captured by the official broadcaster, TRT. Ankaragucu supporters stormed the ground during the event, and Meler was kicked as he went down.
Meler had multiple injuries, including a small fracture, after being attacked by multiple people after he fell to the field. Ali Yerlikaya, Turkey’s interior minister, stated that “detention procedures will be carried out after the treatment,” adding that Koca also needed medical attention.
Bok çukuru bu ülke, cidden bok çukuru!#ankaragucu #farukkoca #halilumutmelerpic.twitter.com/5Vhac7YQra
— Umut (@demokrat_t_) December 12, 2023
Following the incident, all football in Turkey has been halted indefinitely. Meanwhile, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the event that happened in Ankara. He wrote on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account:
Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sport is incompatible with violence.”
He further added:
We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports.”
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on X (formerly known as Twitter) that a detention order had been obtained for Koca and that two individuals had already been placed under arrest as part of a legal probe into the event.
Who is Halil Umut Meler?
Turkish football referee Halil Umut Meler was born on August 1, 1986 in İzmir, Turkey. The 37-year-old was added to the FIFA roster in 2017 and has been a part of the UEFA Elite since 2022.
Beginning on June 29, 2017, he oversaw the first game in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, between Vojvodina and Ružomberok. Meler has officiated FIFA matches since 2017. On November 28, he officiated Lazio’s Champions League group match against Celtic.