Horror moment ref floored by punch from CLUB PRESIDENT who’s now quit and been arrested as Turkey postpones all football

A TURKISH football club's president has now resigned after being arrested for PUNCHING a referee and leaving him needing hospital treatment for a fractured eye socket.

Turkish Football Federation president Mehmet Buyukeksi has confirmed that all matches in the country have been postponed indefinitely in the wake of Monday's shocking scenes.

The disgraceful incident took place following Ankaragucu’s 1-1 draw with Rizespor in the Turkish Super Lig - the country's top-flight.

Olimpiu Morutan broke the deadlock for the hosts after just 14 minutes.

Rizespor snatched a point right at the death as Adolfo Gaich grabbed an equaliser.

The bad-tempered clash also included two red cards with both Ankaragucu's Ali Sowe and Rizespor Emirhan Topcu receiving their marching orders.

More trouble followed after full-time when ref Halil Umut Meler, 37, was confronted by the president of Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca - who has now resigned after the disgraceful attack.

Explosive footage shows him landing a punch on the unsuspecting official.

Meler fell to the floor after being struck and he was then forced to protect his face as he was disgustingly kicked by another individual.

A group of players, coaching staff and security raced to the scene to stop the attack going even further, before the visibly shaken Meler was eventually helped to his feet.

As he made his way off the pitch a huge black eye was already visible.

Despite this he could be seen saying "Thank you, it's my fault" as he exited the field.

Koca was astonishingly later quoted by the Demiroren News Agency to have said: "This incident developed due to the wrong decisions and provocative behaviour of the referee. My aim was to react verbally to the referee and spit in his face.

"At this time, I slapped the referee in the face. The slap I gave would not cause a fracture.

"After my slap, the referee threw himself on the ground. They immediately removed me from the scene because I have a heart condition."

And now the 59-year-old, who along with two others has been placed in pre-trial detention for "injuring and threatening a public official", has confirmed his resignation.

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.

“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.”

Meler has since been pictured wearing a neck brace in hospital where he was today visited by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The official was kept in overnight but tests have concluded he has not suffered any permanent damage.

Bleeding around his eye has begun to subside, although a fractured socket will take time to "gradually heal".

It's hoped he will be discharged from hospital on Wednesday, although the "stress of the incident" is said to have increased his blood pressure.

After the incident the Turkish Football Federation instantly held an extraordinary meeting before announcing that all football within the country had been suspended indefinitely.

The vile attack has been condemned by Turkey’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Askin Bak. 

A post on his social media account read: “We do not want to see these images on our fields, which do not suit the spirit of sports and Turkish football.”

Turkish Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc confirmed on Tuesday that Koca had been arrested for "the crimes of injuring and threatening a public servant due to his public duty".

In addition to Koca it's believed that three other people have been arrested over the incident.

Koca, 59, had been the president of Ankaragucu since 2021 and was awarded the Fair Play manager of the month award in October 2022. 

Former Newcastle and Liverpool star Jonjo Shelvey, who signed from Nottingham Forest last summer, played in the game for Rizespor.

As the shock footage went viral, Fenerbahce’s Turkish international ace Umut Nayir slammed the disgusting scenes and took aim at a wider issue.

He posted on social media: “A mentality that considers itself to be right no matter what is said or done to the referee has surrounded us.

“You destroyed the most vulnerable factor in football with your pressure, day by day, together. You put the burden of your failures on them. Shame on you. 

“I'm ashamed of the situation you've put us in.”

The Turkish Football Federation blasted the incident in a strong statement - taking aim at the culture surrounding the criticism of officials.

It read: "The irresponsible statements of club presidents, managers, coaches and TV commentators targeting referees have paved the way for this vile attack today.

"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."

Meler is one of Turkey's top referees and is on Fifa’s international list as well as Uefa’s elite referee list.

Reports in the country claim he has recently become a father, with his wife giving birth last week.

His fellow Turkish referee Arda Kardesler said: "Everyone saw what happened last night.

"Our Federation and MHK stated that they will support us in every decision we make after the incident and postponement of the league.

"Our only priority right now is Halil Umut Meler's health and reunion with his family. We stand by Halil Umut Meler.

"Then, when he regains his health, we will come together as Turkish referees and announce the decisions we will make regarding our future and career."

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has slammed the incident - calling it "totally unacceptable".

He added that violence has "no place in our sport or society" - before continuing: "Without match officials there is no football.

"Referees, players, fans and staff have to be safe and secure to enjoy the game, and I call on the relevant authorities to ensure that this is strictly implemented and respected at all levels."

A statement from Uefa chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti read: "Uefa strongly condemns the violent behaviour aimed at referee Halil Umut Meler at a Turkish domestic league match yesterday.

"Violence and abuse against referees have no place in football and must stop immediately.

"We urge the authorities and the responsible disciplinary bodies to take decisive and necessary action against anyone involved in acts of abuse and violence against referees.

"Such unacceptable and distressing behaviour is detrimental to the efforts of national associations to recruit referees, which are essential for the running of the game.

"Uefa is deeply committed to the development of refereeing and it recently launched the 'Be a Referee' campaign to inspire young people to become match officials and to support national associations in their referees recruitment initiatives."