Turkish chairman who hospitalised referee with on-pitch punch quits football
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The Turkish chairman who hospitalised a referee with an on-pitch punch has quit football.
Halil Umut Meler, 37, was sucker punched by Ankaragucu's president Faruk Koca after their match with Caykur Rizespor. Meler had brandished a red card for both sides, before Caykur Rizespor found a late equaliser in the seventh minute of added time.
Koca stormed the pitch after the final whistle, punching the official, who ended up in hospital, sparking chaotic scenes, with players and officials joining the melee or trying to intervene. Koca has now resigned from his position at Ankaragucu, and he will walk away from football.
READ MORE: Turkish football suspended completely after club president storms pitch and punches ref
READ MORE: Ref battered on pitch by club president pictured in hospital with neck brace after attack
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He said: "I would like to announce to the public that I have resigned from the MKE Ankaragucu Presidency in order to prevent any further harm to the Ankaragucu club, Ankaragucu fans, the community I am in and my family.
“I hope that this incident, which I, more than anyone else, cannot accept, will be a reason for our sports life, especially our football community, to be purified from mistakes, shortcomings and the culture of violence.
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“At the same time, I hope that the structural problems of Turkish football will be discussed more realistically due to this grave incident that I caused. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to everyone I have upset, especially Ankaragucu fans.
“I would like it to be known that I am deeply saddened that both the club I manage, the football community, and our country are remembered with such an event and image.”
Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has condemned the attack, while the Turkish Football Federation has halted all domestic football indefinitely.
In a statement, the federation blamed the “despicable attack” on a toxic culture towards referees that it said had been fostered by many players and club officials.
“The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today,” said the TFF. “In coordination with our State, all the criminal proceedings they deserve have begun to be implemented against those responsible and instigators of this inhumane attack.
“The responsible club, its president, its managers and all criminals who attacked Meler will be punished in the most severe way. By the decision of the TFF Board of Directors, matches in all leagues have been postponed indefinitely.”
- FIFA
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