MANCHESTER, England — The assault on a prime Turkish referee this week was an instance of the “cancer” that threatens to kill soccer, main FIFA official Pierluigi Collina mentioned on Wednesday.
Halil Umut Meler was hospitalized after being attacked by MKE Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca on the finish of a match on Monday. He was additionally kicked by followers who invaded the sector.
“It’s a responsibility for all those who love the ‘beautiful game’ to take action and do something. Before it’s too late, before this cancer will kill football,” mentioned Collina, chairman of FIFA’s Referees Committee.
Meler sustained a slight fracture close to his eye and was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
Koca punched the referee after the ultimate whistle of a 1-1 attract a Super Lig sport in opposition to Caykur Rizespor. Meler fell to the bottom and was additionally kicked in a melee when followers invaded the pitch after Rizespor scored a last-minute equalizer.
Koca and two different individuals have been positioned below pre-trial detention, dealing with fees of inflicting damage to a public official.
“The image of Halil Umut lying on the ground, with his hands protecting his head while he was kicked by his assaulters, as well as the image of the bruise under his eye, are horrific,” Collina mentioned in a press release. “But even more horrific is to know that there are thousands of referees around the world who are verbally and physically abused at lower levels of the game across the world, without being reported by media.”
Collina, a former prime referee, mentioned much more severe incidents of violence in direction of officers had been taking place around the globe.
“A referee cannot be beaten because of a decision they took, even if it’s wrong,” he mentioned. “His or her car cannot be bombed or set on fire because of a penalty kick. Unfortunately this is not an exaggeration, as cars bombs and cars being set on fire is something that has happened in some countries, and not so rarely.”
Koca is reported to have informed prosecutors throughout questioning that he slapped Meler.
He later introduced his resignation.
“I apologize to the Turkish referee and sports community, to the Turkish people and especially to Mr. Meler and his family for the attitude I displayed toward Halil Umut Meler,” he mentioned in a press release learn by his lawyer late Tuesday.
