The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has suspended all leagues on a “night of shame” for the nation’s football after Ankaragucu’s president Faruk Koca punched the referee in the face at the end of their Super Lig home match against Rizespor.
Koca entered the field and hit referee Halil Umut Meler when the final whistle blew after Rizespor scored a 97th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium on Monday, footage from state broadcaster TRT showed.
Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch after the game and Meler was also kicked when he fell, though it was unclear who his assailants were. Meler eventually made it to the dressing room with the help of the police.
“The Turkish Football Federation has decided to suspend all matches in all leagues indefinitely,” the federation posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The related club, the club chairman, club officials and all those guilty of attacking referee Umut Meler will be punished in the strongest terms possible.”
A detention order has been issued for Koca, Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya said in a post on X, adding that two people have already been detained as part of a judicial investigation into the incident.
