Turkish football referee physically attacked by club president receives treatment at hospital

ANKARA, TÜRKİYE - DECEMBER 12, 2023 : Turkish football referee Halil Umut Meler attacked by the chairman of the top-tier league club MKE Ankaragucu is continuing to recover at a hospital in Ankara on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Meler to express sorrow over the attack and said he "instructed the relevant ministers to do what is necessary immediately." Earlier in the day, Ankaragucu chair Faruk Koca was remanded into custody, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc said. The Turkish Football Federation suspended all league matches until further notice. Meler, 37, is one of the UEFA Elite and FIFA referees to officiate several matches in the UEFA club and national team competitions, including the top-tier Champions League, as well as the European Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. (Footage by Interior Ministry /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)