Turkish leagues suspended after referee Halil Umut Meler punched by MKE Ankaragucu club president Faruk Koca

All football in Turkey has been suspended indefinitely after a referee was punched to the ground by a club president.

MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca - who has since been arrested - ran onto the pitch and struck referee Halil Umut Meler after his side conceded a 97th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 Super Lig draw with Caykur Rizespor.

Meler was then kicked by others as he lay on the ground protecting his head.

A statement from the Turkish Football Federation condemned the "inhumane and despicable" attack on the official.

“We are following Halil Umut Meler's health condition closely and wish a speedy recovery to our valuable referee," said the statement.

"This inhumane and despicable attack was made against all stakeholders of Turkish Football. Everyone who has targeted referees and encouraged crimes against referees is complicit in this despicable crime.

"The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today.

"In coordination with our state, all criminal proceedings deserved have been initiated against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.

"The responsible club, the club president, its managers and all the criminals who attacked Halil Umut Meler will be punished in the most severe way.

"By the decision of the Turkish Football Federation Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely."

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Koca had been arrested for "injuring a public official".

Meler is one of Turkey's top referees and has taken charge of three Champions League matches this season.

He was taken to hospital following the attack.

Chief physician of the hospital where he was treated, Dr Mehmet Yorubulut, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "There is no life threat for the moment. He only has bleeding around his left eye and a small fracture.

"We will [monitor] our referee until the morning due to head trauma. We will discharge him from hospital after the necessary examinations in the morning."

Turkey’s minister of internal affairs, Ali Yerlikaya, said Koca was being treated in hospital under the supervision of security forces.

He also added others had been arrested for their part in the incident.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "I condemn the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler after the MKE Ankaragucu-Çaykur Rizespor match played this evening, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

"Sports means peace and brotherhood. Sports are incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports."

Ankaragucu apologised for the incident on X.

The statement said: "As MKE Ankaragucu Sports Club, we are saddened by the incident that took place this evening.

"We apologise to the Turkish football public and the entire sports community for the sad incident that occurred after the Caykur Rizespor match at Eryaman Stadium."

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