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The Turkish government and football federation have pledged to act swiftly and decisively after a referee was attacked during a top-flight match on Monday.<\/p>\n
Referee Halil Umut Meler was approached on the pitch and hit by the president of MKE Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, after a stoppage-time equaliser for their Turkish Super Lig opponents Caykur Rizespor.<\/p>\n
Players and officials joined the melee or tried to intervene, and it has since been confirmed that Meler suffered a broken bone as a result of the attack.<\/p>\n
Meler, who has officiated in UEFA matches in the past, including West Ham\u2019s Europa Conference League semi-final first leg against AZ Alkmaar last season, was visited in hospital by the country\u2019s interior minister and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) president Mehmet Buyukeksi in Ankara on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The TFF has suspended all domestic football indefinitely following the attack.<\/p>\n
Buyukeksi said Meler was set to be discharged on Wednesday, but insisted Monday\u2019s horrific events had to be a \u201cmilestone\u201d that led to fundamental change.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis sad event should definitely not be forgotten,\u201d Buyukeksi said in quotes reported on the TFF\u2019s X account.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis should be a milestone. Today we will have important meetings. With our minister of youth and sports, with our minister of internal affairs, our minister of justice and our board of directors.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will provide detailed information after tomorrow\u2019s board meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this meeting, we will discuss all the issues clearly. We will give detailed information about the decisions we will make about how the league will continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s underline again \u2013 we strongly condemn the incident on behalf of the Turkish Football Federation board of directors and myself. This incident happened, but we cannot accept it being back to its old state in two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Interior minister Ali Yerlikaya was reported as saying by the TFF\u2019s X account: \u201cOur wish, together with our dear nation, is that there will be no violence of any kind in sports again.<\/p>\n
I condemn it again. The matter is now in court<\/p>\n
\u201cSport is about unity, solidarity and brotherhood. When we don\u2019t like a decision, do we have to suddenly turn into something else?<\/p>\n
\u201cI condemn it again. The matter is now in court. The court process continues. We believe in justice.\u201d<\/p>\n
In October Turkey was awarded joint hosting rights for Euro 2032 alongside Italy.<\/p>\n
Buyukeksi said he had already received assurances from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin that Monday\u2019s incident had not jeopardised that project.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no negativity. President Ceferin called and said, \u2018We are with you, we are ready to do whatever is necessary\u2019,\u201d Buyukeksi added.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease let us not misinform the public. Our goal is to ensure that football is played properly in Turkey and to continue as quickly as possible without any problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut right now, our referee is important, the mental health of our referees is important. Other issues are not important. That is why we are here. We will make the necessary statements later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Buyukeksi had earlier said the matter was now in the hands of the police.<\/p>\n
Turkish media reported that Koca had also been taken to hospital, where he was under guard and expected to be detained following treatment.<\/p>\n