Referee Halil Umut Meler gave his first reaction on Tuesday, less than 24 hours after Ankaragücü club president Faruk Koca punched him in the face at the end of the game against Rizespor (Turkey 15th round).

Referee Halil Umut Meler punched in front of Faruk Koca, president of AnkaragucuPhoto: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

Khalil Umut Meler says that Faruk Koja threatened him with death

Mehler spent the night in the hospital, according to the conclusion, he had a fractured cheekbone. He stated that Faruk Koja threatened to kill him and informed that he filed a criminal case against him.

“Farouk Koja hit me under the left eye, I fell to the ground. While I was lying on the ground, several people hit me many times on my face and other parts of my body.

Farouk Koja said to me and my colleagues: “I will finish you.” Addressing only me, he said: “I will kill you”! We filed a criminal case against Farooq Koj and others. I don’t want to compromise” – Khalil Umut Meleraccording to the materials of Fanatik.tr.

President Ankaragucu: “I slapped him, the reason for the incident was the wrong decisions of the referee”

Turkish Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunç announced the arrest of three men who attacked Judge Halil Umut Meler. Among them is Faruk Koca, the president of the Ankaragücü club.

After the incident on Monday night, Farouk Koja will no longer manage the club. He faces a ban of at least two years.

“I meant to react verbally, I slapped him. The slap I gave him does not cause a fracture. The reason for this incident was the wrong decisions of the referee” – Faruk Koja.

The match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor was tense from the start when VAR disallowed a goal for the home side. In the 14th minute, the international player Olimpiu Morutan scored a great goal with a shot from outside the penalty area.

In the 51st minute, Ankaragücü had the upper hand and did not concede until the seventh minute of extra time, when Rizespor equalized in the final stages.

Dissatisfied with the lost points, Ankaragücü boss Faruk Koca entered the field at the end of the game and shot down the middle.

Experienced FIFA referee Khalil Umut Mehler passed out on the pitch before another person kicked him as he tried to protect his face. The official, who was helped to his feet, was visibly affected by the blows, he had a hematoma under his left eye. He was taken to the hospital.