Türkiye suspends all league games after club president punched referee

Türkiye suspended all league games on Tuesday after Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca punched a referee in the face.

A Turkish court also ordered the arrest of Koca and he is now in custody two other suspects over the violence, the justice minister said.

Koca attacked referee Halil Umut Meler late Monday after the final whistle, in a 1-1 draw in a Super Lig game against Caykur Rizespor.

The referee fell to the ground and was then kicked in a melee after fans invaded the pitch after Rizespor scored a last-minute equalizer.

The Turkish Football Federation held an emergency meeting to discuss the violence.

“This attack is unfortunate and shameful in the name of football,” federation chief Mehmet Buyukeksi said after the meeting.

“We say enough is enough,” he added, insisting that those involved in the violence be punished.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also condemned the attack.

“Sports means peace and brotherhood. The sport is incompatible with violence. We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports,” he wrote on X.

Meler was hospitalised with a fracture near his eye.