FIFA refs boss Collina outraged after Turkish referee attack،
FIFA Referees Committee chairman Pierluigi Collina has reiterated his statement that abuse of officials is a “cancer” in football, after Turkish referee Halil Umut Meler was punched in the face from the president of Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca.
Ankaragucu conceded the equalizer in the 97th minute in their Super Lig clash against Rizespor on Monday, before Koca rushed onto the pitch and attacked Meler. A Turkish court ordered the president's arrest following the incident.
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Speaking to the media last month, Collina warned that attitudes and abuse towards referees could “kill football.
In a statement released following the incident in Turkey, Collina said: “Speaking to the media after the IFAB annual meeting in London last month, on November 28, I said that the violence , verbal and physical abuse against referees was a “cancer” that can cost football lives.
“A referee cannot be beaten because of a decision he made, even if it is wrong. His car cannot be bombed or set on fire because of a penalty.
“Unfortunately, this is not an exaggeration, because bombings and car fires are phenomena that occur in some countries, and it is not that rare.”
Ankaragucu fans also invaded the pitch after the match and Meler was kicked when he fell. He eventually managed to get to the locker room with the help of the police.
Halil Umut Meler is a very good referee and a very good man. I can say that because I saw him several times on the field and spent time with him during the U-20 World Cup. FIFA in Argentina earlier this year. Neither the referee nor the man deserved to have the experience he had yesterday in Ankara,” Collina said.
“He was doing his job when he was attacked on the pitch at the end of a match he had just officiated.
“The image of Halil Umut lying on the ground, with his hands protecting his head as he was kicked by his attackers, as well as the image of the bruise under his eye, are horrific. But what Even more horrifying is knowing that there are thousands of referees around the world who are being verbally and physically abused at lower levels of the game around the world, without the media reporting on it.”
Koca resigned as president of Ankaragucu on Tuesday.
“I would like to announce to the public that I have resigned from the presidency of MKE Ankaragucu in order to avoid any further harm to the Ankaragucu club, Ankaragucu fans, the community I am in and my family,” he said. Koca said in a statement.
