Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler, killed on the pitch at the end of a game between Ankaragucu and Rizespor, says he will not forgive his attacker more than a week after the incident.

Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler decided not to pardon Faruk Koca

Kodja ran onto the field and attacked Mehler after his team equalized in the 90+7th minute in the Super League match with Kaikur Rizespor (1:1).

Mehler, who suffered injuries including a minor fracture, left the hospital Wednesday with a swollen eye.

“The person who did it punched me, I fainted and fell to the ground. But those blows that were inflicted on me when I was lying on the ground, I will never forget for the rest of my life. Therefore, in conscience, I will never forgive.

I will never forgive, I will never forgive either those who did it or those who caused it. I say this directly, I will not forgive either those who provoked or those who did it.” Mehler told the BBC.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said Faruk Koca and two other people were arrested after the prosecutor’s office took a statement, and three other suspects were placed under judicial control.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) also banned Koca permanently, while Ankaragücü was fined two million liras (£54,000) and ordered to play five home matches behind closed doors.

Koca later issued a statement via Ankaragucu announcing that he had resigned as club president and apologized for his actions, saying he was “very ashamed” for the “serious incident” he had caused.

Meler has been working in the Turkish Super League since 2015 and serves FIFA international matches.

“No one should challenge them [pe arbitri]. Everyone does their own thing. They say the problem is ignorance. No, there is arbitration training that is not available in corporate companies. Therefore, I believe that judges should be encouraged. I think they are tired of some things too. We always say: pressure, pressure. Not only me, they also have a family,” the referee said, according to News.ro.