Club matches in Turkey to resume on December 19 after on-field punch

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The president of Ankaragucu entered the pitch and punched the referee in the face at the end of a Monday match

Referee Halil Umut Meler was punched in the face following the conclusion of a Super Lig match. - X/@hfworld_

Turkey's football federation chairman announced on Wednesday that matches in all top-tier leagues will resume on Tuesday of next week after a one-week suspension due to an on-field attack on a referee by a club president.

The president of Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, entered the pitch and punched the referee in the face at the end of a Monday match. The referee, Halil Umut Meler, was released from hospital on Wednesday with a swollen eye but no other health issues.

A Turkish court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of Faruk Koca following the conclusion of a Super Lig match against Rizespor on Monday.

The justice minister also remanded in custody two other suspects over the violence.

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) had suspended all leagues after the "shameful" incident.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Koca and two others were formally arrested for "injuring a public official" after prosecutors took statements from them.

"The investigation is continuing meticulously," Tunc said on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. A decision was made to impose judicial controls on three further suspects.

Koca entered the field and hit Meler when the final whistle blew after Rizespor scored a 97th minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Eryaman Stadium, footage from state broadcaster TRT showed.

Ankaragucu fans invaded the pitch after the game and Meler was also kicked when he fell. He eventually made it to the dressing room with the help of the police.

The federation said Ankaragucu, its chairman, club officials and all those guilty of attacking the referee will be "punished in the strongest terms possible".

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the events that took place after the match were "totally unacceptable and have no place in our sport or society".

"Without match officials there is no football," he added.

A FIFA referee since 2017, 37-year-old Meler took charge of Lazio's Champions League group game with Celtic on Nov. 28.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on X that sport is "incompatible with violence".

"We will never allow violence to take place in Turkish sports."

Referees in Turkey are often criticised by club managers and presidents for their decisions but are rarely the target of violent attacks.

Ankaragucu are 11th in the standings on 18 points, three places below Rizespor on 22 points after 15 matches.

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